President Obama arrives in Alaska today for a three-day trip, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Arctic. Obama is expected to emphasize the impact of climate change on the heels of his administration’s decision to allow Shell to resume oil drilling in the Arctic, a move environmentalists warn will fuel climate change. We’ll have more on the visit later in the broadcast.
Obama to Restore Mount McKinley’s Alaska Native Name, “Denali”
On the eve of his trip to Alaska, Obama announced the name of North America’s tallest mountain peak will be changed from Mount McKinley to Denali—its traditional Alaska Native name. Ohio’s congressional delegation had fought to defend the name McKinley, which honors former President William McKinley, who was from Ohio. But Alaska Natives have long viewed the name as imperialist.
Dominica: Tropical Storm Erika Kills 20, Wreaks “Monumental” Damage
Obama’s trip to Alaska comes amid the latest extreme weather fueled by global warming. Tropical Storm Erika battered the Caribbean island of Dominica late last week, killing at least 20 people and leaving 31 missing. Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the island had been set back 20 years by the damage, which he described as “monumental.” Scientists have warned climate change will cause tropical storms like Erika to intensify.
See also:
- “Our Climate, Our Future”: As Obama Visits Arctic, Alaskans Urge Him to Reverse Shell Oil Dea August 31, 2015
Global Climate Change
Environment Ethics
Environment Justice
Transition Studies 