In 2017, Ben Weissenbach penned a heartfelt letter to the legendary writer John McPhee while applying for a writing seminar at Princeton. He expressed a desire to follow in McPhee’s footsteps. This wish came to life in his debut book, “North to the Future: An Offline Adventure Through the Changing Wilds of Alaska.”
Weissenbach, who hails from Los Angeles, dives deep into Alaska’s wilderness alongside three leading scientists: Roman Dial, Kenji Yoshikawa, and Matt Nolan. His journey across the state is marked by personal challenges, from freezing fingers to strained muscles.
One central theme of his book is the urgent change happening in America’s Arctic. It’s warming almost three times faster than the rest of the world. Weissenbach reflects on this, sharing how the use of smartphones and social media often distracts him from appreciating nature fully.
A significant part of his adventure involves trekking the Brooks Range with Dial, who has dedicated his life to studying the northern spread of white spruce trees. In one memorable scene, Weissenbach fumbles with a tent, showcasing his early struggles in the Alaskan wilderness. Dial’s sharp comment about the importance of learning from mistakes highlights a bond that blends humor with mentorship.
Through gripping tales and vivid descriptions, Weissenbach’s narrative uncovers alarming changes in the northern landscape. He describes the Salmon River, once pristine, which is now turning a toxic orange due to permafrost melting—an alarming result of climate change. This phenomenon is not just an environmental issue but a profound human story intertwined with the lives of the scientists studying it.
For deeper insights, Weissenbach connects with permafrost expert Kenji Yoshikawa, who emphasizes the scarcity of solid data regarding climate change. This collaboration provides valuable context, illustrating the challenges scientists face not only in research but also in communicating their findings.
Weissenbach’s encounters also include flying with Matt Nolan, who has tracked the McCall Glacier since the late 1950s. Despite bad weather obstructing a landing on the glacier, the conversation reveals Nolan’s findings: the glacier is getting colder and moving slower, highlighting the complex and sometimes counterintuitive realities of climate science.
In the book’s closing, Weissenbach reflects on his conversations with Dial about hope for the future. He emphasizes the urgent need for humanity to take meaningful action: embracing renewable energy, reducing meat consumption, and protecting untouched natural areas.
Weissenbach’s journey encapsulates not just a personal transformation but also a call to recognize our role in shifting ecosystems. As readers, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of our actions and the world around us, urging us to be more mindful of our planet.
For further reading on climate impact, check out the research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
