Climate Connection: Lithium Quandaries
The next ten years of federal incentives for purchasing electric vehicles (EV) and state bans on future gas car sales will dramatically raise the demand for lithium while raising the specter of environmental degradation owing to lithium mining. In the United States, 79% of known lithium deposits are within 35 miles of Native American reservations, often occurring on nearby culturally-significant lands. In Nevada and internationally, local communities are objecting to lithium development. Open pit mines destroy sensitive ecosystems, local economies, and valued landscapes. Lithium production from salt brine extraction consumes vast amounts of water in areas already suffering drought. How do we decarbonize transportation for the benefit of earth’s climate without adding to the suffering of some of our most vulnerable inhabitants?
Carbon dioxide from transportation is the largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions which are increasing year-by-year. Within the transport sector, light duty vehicles account for the majority of emissions. We have built a car-centric geography with subsidization of highways, parking, and suburban development. However, there has been no comparable investment in public transport (buses and trains), active transport (biking and walking), and urban density. UC Davis’ Climate and Community Project has recently compared four models of proceeding to convert U.S. transport to zero-carbon by 2050. Each model has vastly different implications for lithium extraction (https://www.climateandcommunity.org/more-mobility-less-mining). The choices to be made include replacing all internal combustion vehicles with electric; decreasing the need for car ownership; stabilizing the size of lithium batteries (hence range) and car size; increasing urban population density so that people can bike or walk to where they need to go; and recycling lithium from batteries. These types of policies implemented together could decrease projected lithium extraction needs up to 90% over the next three decades.
In Sitka, our roughly 130 EVs, mostly second-hand Nissan Leafs, have small first- and second-generation batteries (e.g., compared to Teslas) which are adequate for our limited range needs. Mindful of the inequities of lithium extraction, we can choose municipal policies which support moving to a compact geography with fewer cars by investing in public transportation with carbon-free RIDE service on evenings and weekends, for a start. We can incentivize electric bikes with means to charge them, so that apartment dwellers do not have to purchase cars. We can incentivize tiny houses and congregate living close to our work, groceries, and recreational venues. We can advocate for state and national policies that acknowledge that our car-centric culture can be changed to a more just landscape nationally, with less mining and less segregation by class and race. The carbon footprint of EVs from cradle to grave is less than comparable internal combustion engine vehicles. But even with independence from fossil fuels, we have choices. EVs are just one example of how we can strive for efficiency of energy use, while conserving the bounty of what the earth has provided, without more pollution and injustice, domestically and internationally.
–Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka
Wearable Arts
Show Feb. 4
Tickets for the Wearable Arts Show ‘‘Awakening’’ are on sale at Old Harbor Books.
Shows are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Centennial Hall. It is sponsored by the Greater Sitka Arts Council.
Tickets cost $25 and $20 for students and seniors. Tickets also will be for sale at the door.
For information go to sitkaartscouncil.org.
‘Save the Trollers’
Fundraiser Feb. 5
A benefit dinner and dessert auction to ‘‘Save the Trollers’’ will be held 5 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Sitka Elks Lodge.
The fish and chips dinner is $19.
Those with questions, or wishing to donate an auction dessert, can contact the Elks Lodge at 907-747-3511.
Events held at the Elks Lodge are for members and invited guests.
SCT Calls for
Set Builders,
Props Crew
GSAC Sitka Community Theater will have a call for those interested in joining the props and set team for the upcoming musical “Amelie,” 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Performing Arts Center.
Volunteers will learn about how sets and props are built, and can sign up for particular assignments. People of all skills and abilities are needed, and a short set work party will follow the meeting. Donuts and coffee will be served.
The entrance to the building is in the Performer Entrance in back of Sitka High School, between the school and the PAC. Those who are not able to attend can sign up to be included on the call list for future assignments and work parties, by calling or texting 907-738-0602.
Tickets Ready for
Ramshackle Cabaret
Ramshackle Cabaret and ArtChange Inc. will present ‘‘Sploosh!’’ shows on Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18, at Centennial Hall. Doors at 8 p.m. with the show staring at 9 p.m.
The show is open to those 21 and older. General admission tickets will go on sale at Old Harbor Books on Feb. 5.
Ocean Wave
Quilters Meet
Ocean Wave Quilters will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at United Methodist Church.
Monthly meetings, September through June, are open to all, members or not. Those wishing to pay the $25 dues receive a monthly newsletter, discounts on classes and other benefits.
For more information call President Sarah Jordan at 907-738-7272.
Open Sewing
Session Feb. 11
Ocean Wave Quilters will sponsor an open sewing session 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at United Methodist Church.
All are invited to attend. Irons, ironing boards, tables and chairs are provided. Lunch is a potluck. For information call Linda Swanson at 907-747-3471.
Sprockets Bike
Club Meets Feb. 7
Ages 7-12 can join Sitka Conservation Society’s Alaska Way of Life club and the Salty Spoke Bike Coop for Sprockets Bike Club 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Salty Spoke Bike Coop.
The club meets for bike maintenance and related workshops. All skill and experience levels are welcome with and without a bike.
Contact Emily at emily@sitkawild.org for registration and information.
Adult Spelling
Bee Set Feb. 9
The Friends of the Library and the Sitka Public Library are holding an Adult Spelling Bee 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Centennial Hall as a fundraiser for Sitka Public Library.
The public is invited and can purchase tickets at Old Harbor Books or the door for the suggested donation of $5.
A team consists of one or two people, with one needing to be over 18 years old. There is still room for spellers. The entry fee is $20 per person. Those with questions can email jbudd3500@gmail.com or call (907) 747-4821.
Parks and Rec
Open Gym Set
The city Parks and Recreation will hold open skate and open gym on Saturdays at Blatchley Middle School.
Family open roller-skating will be held at the BMS multipurpose room 2-3:15 p.m.
Family open gym in the BMS main gym will be 3-4:30 p.m.
Open gym punch cards for youths, adults, and families will be available for purchase at the Parks and Recreation office at BMS. Drop in admission is $3.81 for youths, $7.62 for adults, and $11.43 for families. Punch cards with 5 and 10 punches are discounted.
For information, contact Parks and Recreation by emailing recreation@cityofsitka.org or calling 907-747-4031.
Conservation
Society to Meet
Sitka Conservation Society’s annual meeting will be held in person at the downstairs Mean Queen 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.
Staff and board members will preview upcoming SCS plans for 2023, conduct official business, and answer questions from the community. All are welcome to attend. Board election ballots are to be filled out online by Feb. 5.
New Director
For LAM To Be
At SJ Museum
Dr. Amy Phillips-Chan will be at the Sheldon Jackson Museum 9 a.m.-10:30 Saturday, Feb. 11.
The new division director for the state Libraries, Archives and Museums Division, including the Sheldon Jackson Museum, assumed her role on Nov. 14.
For the past seven years, she served as the director of the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum in Nome (Sitŋasuaq). In addition to her experience leading the museum and serving on the board of Museums Alaska, she has served in a fellowship with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and has experience as a teacher in a rural district in Alaska.
“It has been a pleasure to work with LAM staff through projects in Nome and board service with Alaskan associations,’’ Phillips-Chan said. ‘‘I look forward to now assisting the teams in Juneau/Dzánti K’ihéeni and Sitka/Sheet’ká on innovative educational programs that promote equitable access to our state’s invaluable historical and cultural resources and meaningful engagement with Alaska’s diverse populations.’’
The museum is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and closed holidays. It is open by appointment only on Tuesdays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and free for ages 18 and under and active duty military and their families (with an ID). Call (907) 747-8981 to confirm hours.
Woman’s Club
Meets Saturday
The Sitka Woman’s Club will meet noon Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Marina Restaurant in Totem Square.
The meeting is open to the public.
Farmers Market
Manager Sought
Sitka Local Foods Network is seeking a manager to coordinate the Sitka Farmers Markets this summer.
The deadline to accept applications has been extended until 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16.
This will be the 16th year of operation for the Sitka Farmers Market, which features six to eight markets during the summer from July through September.
Applications should include a cover letter, resumé and three recommendations. For more information or to submit applications, contact SLFN board president Charles Bingham at 1-907-623-7660, or you can email the SLFN Board at sitkalocalfoodsnetwork@gmail.com (with “Sitka Farmers Market Manager” in the subject line).
Food Business
Innovation
Contest on Tap
The Sitka Local Foods Network is hosting the sixth annual Sitka Food Business Innovation Contest in an effort to spark local entrepreneurs to make more local food available to residents and visitors.
The contest entry deadline is Friday, March 17.
It will provide two $1,500 kicker prizes to help entrepreneurs launch or expand their food businesses. The contest is open to food businesses and individuals making and selling food products in Sitka.
All food business ideas must be geared toward getting more locally grown, harvested and/or produced food into the Sitka marketplace through sales in grocery stores, the Sitka Food Co-Op, the Sitka Farmers Market, restaurants, or individual marketing (such as a community supported agriculture/CSA or community supported fisheries/CSF program).
A $25 entry fee will be accepted for the contest. Participants must complete and submit the contest entry form by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 17, by snail mail so it arrives before the deadline to Sitka Local Foods Network, Food Business Innovation Contest Entries, 408-D Marine Street, Sitka, Alaska, 99835, or by email with the Subject Line of “Food Business Innovation Contest Entries” to sitkalocalfoodsnetwork@gmail.com).
Submitting a business plan (up to 20 pages) is recommended, but not required.
The Sitka Food Business Innovation Contest Entry Form is at https://sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/sitkafoodbusinessinnovationcontestentryform2023.docx.
Email info@sitkawild.org or call 907-747-7509 for more information.
