Growing up in Chefornak, Jessica Lewis Nicori learned to respect nature from her father. “Go outside. Look at the sunrise. Check the water,” he told her. Now, she passes that wisdom down to her younger cousins before they go hunting. “Just watch the weather,” she advises, recalling how her dad would observe the clouds instead of relying on technology.
Nicori shared her story during a panel at the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference in Bethel. The discussion focused on changing weather patterns and increasing flood events in the region, highlighting the impact of ex-typhoon Halong, which affected several villages in October 2025.
Kwigillingok Elder Fred Phillip noted that he has felt shifts in weather since the 1964 earthquake in Alaska, marking a time when storms began to feel more intense. “Back in the mid-70s, a storm almost covered our entire village,” he recalled. Even then, the community worked together to repair damage and responded to warnings from Elders about the changing climate.
Anthropologist Ann Fienup-Riordan shared interviews revealing local perspectives on these shifts. Residents like Pete Jacobs expressed confusion over the new weather patterns, noticing a change from what previous generations experienced.
The idea that human behavior influences the weather resonated throughout the conference. Katie Basile from Alaska Sea Grant mentioned, “If our actions are changing the weather, we need to change our behavior to reverse it.”
Younger residents are also aware of the environmental changes. UAF students Daisy and Glennesha Carl grew up in Newtok, a community that faced extreme erosion and, in 2024, officially relocated to Mertarvik. Daisy shared, “I took my first steps in Newtok. I always thought about my future there.”
The sisters participated in a photography project documenting their community’s struggle with climate change. Glennesha said many people outside their community don’t know about the challenges they face. “Spreading awareness is crucial. It can bring in funding and support,” she said.
Both sisters emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing climate issues. Glennesha noted, “We had to raise funds and apply for many grants during our relocation. It’s essential for communities to involve youth in discussions about environmental change.”
This highlights a broader trend: as climate challenges intensify, the perspective and involvement of younger generations may prove crucial in building resilient communities.
For more insights into climate change and its effects on Alaskan communities, you can explore findings from Alaska Climate Resilience Research.
