Our two-week program in the Alaska Range and Chugach Mountains provides an ideal canvas for an immersive field course on the pressing issues of our time. In a state that relies heavily on the export of its natural resources like fishing and mining, Alaska is an excellent case study on natural resource management and regulation. Our program aims to instill a deeper understanding of how these resources are managed and the nuances and various stakeholders involved in those decisions. Expanding on that, another key focus of our program is on air quality and climate change. While Alaska’s air quality fluctuates seasonally, in much of the state, it is pristine and serves as a valuable baseline for climate scientists studying the impacts of anthropogenic activity on air pollution. During the program, we will discuss the basics of atmospheric science and visit an air quality monitoring station. We will also set up visible emissions monitoring equipment and learn techniques for measuring the opacity of particulate matter. Our goal here is to deepen our knowledge through hands-on learning of what meteorological variables are necessary for studying air pollution-related concerns. In addition to learning the methods and collecting field data, we will also focus on interpreting that data and how best to extract valuable insights that could inform strategies for conversation and climate policy.
For the second half of the program, Denali National Park will serve as an opportune locale for a comprehensive exploration of Regional Haze. We will delve deeper into the nuances of the Clean Air Act, dissecting its provisions and the specific objectives outlined for enhancing visibility and curbing the encroachment of human-induced air pollution in designated Class I Areas. Transitioning from Denali, the final portion of the program leads us to Fairbanks, where we will learn about local Environmental Justice concerns and examine and discuss local Climate Action and Adaptation Plans.