As Fairbanks North Star Borough residents, we are seeing the effects of climate change in sharp relief and have made our desire for climate action measures clear through broad public engagement in the process of developing a common-sense Climate Action and Adaptation Plan over the past year.

Now, despite the popularity of the plan, fringe members of the assembly who are publicly opposed to climate action have taken control of the Climate Action Committee, abruptly dismissing all 6 of the highly qualified Climate Action Committee members and replacing them with a group of people who have an unclear level of commitment to seeing the plan through. This is an extremely unprecedented move and is disrespectful to the work and expertise of the former committee members.

Here’s how you can help:

In order to get this plan finished, we need to make ourselves heard in a big way. We need to speak up vocally and show just how much we support this plan and that we are not going to accept this failure of leadership. We can’t give up or let weak leadership undermine the important progress our community needs to make. 

Do these two things:

• Sign the Petition for the Climate Action Plan’s Adoption: We are gathering signatures to demonstrate our support for a robust plan and to show just how many people intend to make sure this plan is completed. Please sign this petition. Petitions can be surprisingly effective in local issues like this one. After signing, please share with family and friends and on your social media!

• Plan to Testify at the next Borough Assembly Meeting on December 15th: Mark your calendar – we need you to come and help to pack the Borough Assembly Chambers. If you have any questions or want to be involved in planning for this next stage of action, email . 

We started this process with the climate plan resolution passed almost 4 years ago. We’ve seen climate impacts worsen even during those 4 years. We’re not giving up now.

Please join us in showing that as Borough residents, we know what we need for our community, and we’re not willing to settle for less.

Press:

Fairbanks Daily Newsminer Community Perspective: We owe it to this community to finish the climate planning process

Fairbanks Daily Newsminer Letter to the Editor: They came in like a wrecking ball

Reporting From Alaska: News-Miner fails to penetrate political blather on firing of Fairbanks climate committee

Reporting From Alaska: Right-wing assembly leader tries PR spin to disguise attack on climate change committee

Reporting From Alaska: Climate Action Committee members didn't bother to prepare

Reporting From Alaska: Right-wing assembly leader dumps climate change committee to start his reign

Fairbanks Daily Newsminer: Climate change planners welcome public input at summit

Fairbanks Daily Newsminer: Residents provide input on borough climate action plan

KUAC: Borough Seeks Public Input on Climate Plan

Fairbanks Daily Newsminer: Assembly greenlights Climate Change Task Force

If you want to get involved with more issues like this, consider joining the Policy and Politics working group!