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Yakutat, Alaska: A Metaphor for Global Challenges

(Three Universal Challenges)

 

As much as I would like to make this newsletter all about how beautiful Yakutat, Alaska is and how wonderful my participation in the Energy Summit has been, I won't ask you to indulge me. Facebook took care of that. What I would like to do, however, is to share some important observations about the challenges the population of Yakutat faces today and their similarities to thousands of cities and towns throughout the world. They are indeed a metaphor and let's all take note. 

 

#1 - Energy
Yakutat faces an energy crisis driven by high costs of electrical power and heating fuel and by complete dependence on outside sources of petroleum products. The municipal power company operates diesel generators for 100% of the electricity used locally, bringing power costs to $0.55/kwh. Power and heating costs make up a huge portion of home and business budgets, and inhibit economic growth and investment in the community.

Ready for this? According to Skip Ryman, Yakutat Borough Manager: "People are finding that anywhere from 45 to 60 percent of their disposable income has been going for utilities and home heating," Ryman says. "This in turn is hurting retailers. We've been losing families, losing kids in the school system and essentially sending the community into a bit of a death spiral."

Can you imagine? The race for alternative energy sources is obviously pressing for them. They are looking at many including wave energy (very costly), types of solar, biomass solutions. But you get the point. We should all be in the race to cut down on the use of petroleum simply because it is the right thing to do.

#2 - Commercial Fishing
According to the Environmental Defense Fund, 87% of the world's assessed fish stock are at breaking point, classified as overexploited or fully exploited. And one out of two fish stocks in the U.S. are either overfished, at risk of being overfished, or there is little data to assess how they're doing.

Truth be told, I know two things about Yakutat and commercial fishing. There is LOTS of it going on here and the people who live here and make their livelihood from commercial fishing care deeply about their ocean. I don't know if their area is at risk for being overfished and probably should have found out before I wrote this but the research on the oceans speaks loudly regardless.

My hope? That because of the important work of organizations like Seafood Watch and The Center for the Study of Deserts & Oceans (CEDO), places like Yakutat will fish with care, will not deplete their supplies and become proud partners with organizations around the globe committed to sustainable fishing practices.

Two of my recent radio shows are well worth taking the time to listen to if you are interested in learning more and having some hope about the health of our oceans for our generation as well as the next. It really matters.

- Fish For Life

- Safe Seafood? There's an App for That.

#3 -The Kids Are Leaving
Unlike many places in the USA, Yakutat enjoys a strong cultural heritage. With a population of about 660 and given that they are land-locked, preserving some of their traditions might not be as hard as the big cities with pockets of specific cultures. That being said, preserving their culture is a HUGE priority in this small village. Just have to share one picture of what we got to experience during our trip here. This is Gavin Klushkan. His parents are Gary and Joy Klushkan and his mother made every single piece of his dancing attire including shoes. All of the bead work was done by hand. Gary is a member of the Tlingit Tribe and they have inhabited their land for over 1100 years.

I realize that Yakutat is not the norm. I also realize that my children left Tucson because there weren't lots of great jobs nor a great variety of choices to give them reasons to stay. I can also add that every leader in Tucson - from the Mayor to the President of the University of Arizona speak to the issue of "our kids/graduates are leaving" at every opportunity. And I know we are not alone. There are hundreds of cities throughout the United States that are trying to hold on to bright young minds; minds that will help strengthen the city, the community, the education system and keep families intact. I admit that I am sad on many Sunday nights because for dozens of years, that was family night - a joyous gathering where we all connected, planned for the week and simply enjoyed each other. It is an aspect of a truly sustainable life that is part of our DNA - we are gatherers. It is encouraging to see that the leaders in both Yakutat and Tucson care enough to be vocal about the challenges and are working to effect change. As for me? I am blessed that my kids didn't decide to move across the world so that we get to spend precious time together frequently throughout the year.

GREAT NEWS? This blog from last week got more likes on the Sun Rideshare Facebook page than any post to date. Here's to PAG and Cyclovia for being a part of Mrs. Green's World!

To celebrate Earth Month, we picked six global issues about the earth that move us. We wanted to know what moved YOU and what you cared about. Well, it's a wrap, the winners have been notified and we are declaring our Pin to Win contest a success. What do you care about the most? Rethinking Water and Clean Water. I would say that makes everyone in Mrs. Green's World smarter than the average bear because clean water and access to it should be our number one concern. A huge thank you to A-1 Mattress for being our major sponsor and to all of our prize sponsors as well.