Climate Connection for July 15, 2022
Climate Connection: Tipping Points
Four natural self-amplifying feedback loops threaten run-away global warming from methane release in melting permafrost, deforestation disruption of carbon sinks, trapping of heat from increased water vapor in our atmosphere, and reduced reflection of surface heat from disappearing snow and ice. These are only four, and more feedback loops exist: weakening of the Atlantic Ocean meridional overturning circulation, shifts in the west Africa monsoon and Indian monsoon, and die-off of coral reefs. One feedback loop often affects other warming feedback loops, creating a domino or cascading effect. Twenty years ago, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change introduced the concept of tipping points. Tipping points are critical thresholds of change that lead to large, abrupt, and often irreversible changes in the state of the earth system, at least in human timeframes.
An example is the melting of the ice sheets in Greenland and the Thwaites glacier in the Antarctic due to ocean and earth warming. The natural sources of increased greenhouse gases from these feedback loops operate to melt more ice sheets, that in turn increase sea level rise, causing more melting. Even if human greenhouse gas emissions stop, these natural feedback loops will continue to operate. Scientists find these natural feedback loops hard to model, since little is known about some of these processes. For example, what causes a tree to die, how can we predict extreme weather events, or how fast is permafrost melting? All scientists can tell us is that tipping points are much more likely at 2 degrees centigrade than at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures. We are already at 1.1 degrees and may have triggered tipping points.
Rather than a single tipping point like falling over a cliff, spelling immediate disaster for all humankind, a series of regional tipping points is more likely. Thus, tipping points are more like falling down a flight of stairs that are not even. The faster we race down the stairs, the harder it is to stop or to climb back up a step. But the sooner we eliminate all human emissions from the production and burning of fossil fuels, the slower our descent from existing natural feedback loops. We have no time to waste in stopping our emissions. Ten percent of the world population lives within 10 meters of sea level and will have to relocate in the coming decades. Extreme desertification, increased severity of storms and flooding, and decreased ocean productivity are undoubtedly here to stay during our lifetimes. These aspects of our climate emergency will precipitate “human” tipping points in our economic, geopolitical, and nutritional well-being.
Some regions are already experiencing human tipping points. Climate change is an emergency requiring action at both local and global levels. Climate threats to us and our children are as immediate as the threats of political polarization, increasing gas prices, the war in Ukraine, the pandemic, and the other griefs we are experiencing. We each need to play a role in adapting locally and decreasing our descent into climate chaos.
Kay Kreiss, Transition Sitka
Pizza for Paws
Benefit Sunday
Friends of Sitka Animal Shelter will host the fundraising event Pizza for Paws at the Mean Queen Dungeon 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 17.
The public is invited to stop by to support the new local non-profit, enjoy some pizza on the house, listen to live music, and get to know some of the furry faces of the shelter.
Email sitkaanimalfriends@gmail.com for more information.
Farmers Market Set Saturday
The Sitka Farmers Market will be open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the ANB Founders Hall.
The community event is hosted by the Sitka Local Foods Network, a nonprofit working to improve Sitka’s food security.
The online vendor registration page, http://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com, is live and ready for vendors to sign up and pre-pay for their spots.
Markets are on alternate Saturdays, July 16, 30, Aug. 13, 27, and Sept. 10 and 24.
Vendors will pay $40 per market, regardless of whether using a table or a food truck. A special youth market price is available.
The market’s focus is on local fresh produce, fish, baked goods, prepared foods, cottage foods, arts and crafts, and all products must be made in Alaska (preferably in Sitka or Southeast.) Cooked foods may use non-local foods so long as the food is cooked on site. The mission is geared toward food security and space is limited. Vendors who register food booths will have a higher priority over arts and crafts.
Cellobration!
Concert July 17
Sitka International Cello Seminar will present Cellobration! at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
All are invited to attend the season’s final concert featuring cello solos, small ensembles, and cello choir.
Tickets are $10 and available at sitkamusicfestival.org. The Cello Seminar is a program of the Sitka Music Festival.
SMF Cello Seminar
Concerts Announced
The Sitka International Cello Seminar will present a series of concerts throughout the month of July.
Friday night “Rising Stars” concerts will feature this season’s Cello Seminar fellows. Concerts will be held at 5 p.m. July 15 at the Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall. Tickets are $10.
The first three Saturdays in July will feature the “Faculty Showcase” series, concerts featuring guest faculty. Ilya Finkelshteyn will perform 5 p.m. July 16. All Saturday concerts will be at the Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall. Faculty Showcase tickets are $30.
Tickets are at SitkaMusicFestival.org. The concert series is sponsored by the Sitka Music Festival.
Former Sitkan
Planning a Visit
Duna Williamson Fullerton will be visiting in Sitka July 20 and 21.
The former Presbyterian Church, in Latta Hall, has been reserved for 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, for friends to stop by, and enjoy a bit of conversation and a cup of coffee or tea. All are invited.
Those with questions can call Henrietta at (828) 450-2578.
Duna is the widow of the Rev. Dan Fullerton, who served the Presbyterian Church. She also was a member of the Alaska Native Sisterhood.
Life Celebration
For Chuck Bovee
The Sitka community is invited to help the Bovee family honor the life of Charles “Chuck” Bovee (https://charlesbovee.com) 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the Odess Theater in Allen Hall at the SJ Campus.
He was ‘‘a loving husband; devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; perpetual storyteller; and a careful and attentive listener,’’ his family said. ‘‘Leave your sadness at the door, but bring rather your stories, your laughs, and your happiness over a life that was lived to the fullest.’’
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, July 19, to help with planning at https://bit.ly/ChuckBoveeCoL_22.
A reception will follow. Those who are unable to attend may link to a recording of the celebration of life that will be made available.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to any of the following organizations that he loved and supported over the years:
Sitka Fine Arts Camp: https://www.fineartscamp.org/bovee; Sitka Music Festival: email to director@sitkamusicfestival.org; and Sitka Young Life: e-mail to chris@sitka.younglife.org.
Life Celebration for
Marilyn Hanson
The celebration of life for Marilyn Hanson will be 6 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at the Odess Theater at Allen Hall on the SJ Campus. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
Remembrances, fellowship and food and beverage will follow. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Volunteers Visit
Sitka Lutheran
Over Summer
Mary Ann Christensen and Grandel McCorkindale, from Laurel, Nebraska, are a few of the volunteers who are serving Sitka Lutheran Church this summer. The two arrived in June.
Mary Ann grew up in Nebraska, raised her family and now is enjoying grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She graduated with a nursing degree helped her husband with farming. She has served on the school board, served with Via de Cristo, taken mission trips to Brazil and enjoys reading and quilting.
Grandel McCorkindale grew up on a Nebraska farm, married a farmer and she and her husband are now retired. Their lives centered around faith and family – which includes children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sitka Lutheran Church volunteer tasks are to run the popcorn machine, greet visitors and preach the Gospel.
Regular Sunday morning worship services are held at 10:30 a.m.
For information call the church office at 747-3338 or visit the church’s web site at: http://www.sitkalutheranchurch.org/ or e-mail the office at slc.admin@acsalaska.net.
Johnson Placed
On Honor Roll
Hunter Johnson, a 2021 Sitka High School graduate, has earned a place on the Spokane Community College honor roll for spring quarter.
Students on the honor roll earned a GPA of 3.0 or above for the quarter.
The college is located in Spokane, Washington.
Intertidal Exploration
Cruise on July 16
Sitka Conservation Society staff will host a cruise to Starfish Beach to explore the tidepools during minus tide 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 16.
Boarding is 8:45 a.m. at Crescent Harbor.
Participants will disembark from the boat, so should take weather appropriate clothing, and their own water and snacks.
Tickets for the cruise are $70 per person and are available for purchase at Old Harbor Books with cash or check starting Friday. Space is limited.
Masks are not required.
Contact info@sitkawild.org or call 907-747-7509 for more information.
Earth’s Water is
Topic of Program
Sitka Public Library invites children ages 6 to 8 to an ‘‘Explore Earth’s Water and Catch the World’s Ocean Tinker Time’’ workshop 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16.
The program is focused on STEM activities from NASA and it will be guided by Marjean Ragsdale. Materials and a free book will be provided, and registration is required. The event is sponsored by NASA @My Library. Register at 747-4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.
Free Ukulele
Classes Sundays
Free ukulele classes are being offered Sundays at the Sitka Pioneers Home Chapel.
Absolute beginners meet at 5 p.m. and song practice is at 6 p.m. on July 10, 17, Aug. 14 and 21. Attendees should take their own instrument.
Emblem Club
Meets July 21
Sitka Emblem Club 142 will hold a brief business meeting 5:15 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at the Elks Lodge 1662, 412 Sawmill Creek Road.
