Senator Begich to Host Senators for Climate Change Tour

August trip to include impacted areas, new energy technology

June 19, 2009 -- To see first-hand the impacts of climate change on America's only Arctic state, U.S. Senator Mark Begich is attracting a number of senators to Alaska this August.

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The delegation is scheduled to see erosion in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region; climate change impacts on glaciers and forests in Southcentral Alaska; and a visit to the North Slope of Alaska to view new energy technologies used in northern oil and gas production.

Begich is working with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, to organize the trip in late August. The tentative schedule includes visits to western Alaska villages to witness coastal erosion, the Kenai Peninsula to see spruce bark beetle invested forests and receding glaciers and meetings with local climate change experts. An additional aspect of the trip may include a visit to the North Slope to view oil and gas development and Arctic climate change.

"Since the day I arrived in the Senate, my colleagues have been suggesting a trip to Greenland to witness climate change first-hand. I keep reminding them that Alaska is ground-zero for the impacts of global warming so I'm pleased many are agreeing to visit our state," Sen. Begich said. "Although our state is huge and senators' time limited, I'm confident their visit will be an eye-opener and help shape national legislation on this vital issue."

Source: Senator Mark Begich