Notwithstanding the fact that she is now a U.S. Vice Presidential candidate, state Governor Palin’s environmental policies have played an important role in Alaska’s treatment of its unique ecology, both in her role as Governor from 2006 and her stint as Ethics Supervisor of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission from 2003 to 2004.
Climate Change in Alaska
Whereas the lower 48 states may worry about future global warming effects, Alaska is experiencing effects at present. Deborah Williams, former Director of the Alaska Conservation Foundation, speaking to Kate Cheney Davidson in the Anchorage Daily News on June 27, 2006, said, “Since 1979, the summer extent of the Arctic ice cap has shrunk significantly; the equivalent of two Texases' worth of ice has disappeared.”
“State of the Arctic” by J. Richter-Mengel et al, published by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in October 2006, states, “There is dramatic climate change happening in the Arctic right now ... about 2-3 times the pace of the whole globe.”
Palin and the Environment
As governor of this climate change front line state, Sarah Palin’s policies have a large environmental impact. Recognizing the ever increasing demand for energy, Governor Palin has striven to maximize the development of Alaska’s oil and gas reserves. Positions she has taken to exploit the gas and oil resources of Alaska have environmental implications for the present and the future.
- She favors opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the largest national park in the United States, to drill for oil and gas. In an interview with Carrie Tait of the Financial Post, on Sept 5, 2007, Palin said, "About ANWR, about offshore drilling. Finally it seems there's been an awakening across the country to recognize what Alaska has to offer." In her “State of the State Address”, to the 24th Alaska Legislature Jan 17, 2007, she said “we're trying to convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR”.
- She is critical of the need to list the Beluga whale as an endangered species because of the effect such listing may have on the economic development of the area. In press release 07-175, “Beluga”, released by the Governor’s office on August 7, 2007 she stated, "I am especially concerned that an unnecessary federal listing and designation of critical habitat would do serious long-term damage to the vibrant economy of the Cook Inlet area."
- In press release No. 08-134 “Polar Bear” issued on August 4, 2008, Governor Palin announced plans to sue the Federal Government over plans to protect the polar bear. She argued that Alaska is “concerned that the unwarranted listing of the polar bear as a threatened species will have a significant adverse impact on Alaska by deterring activities such as commercial fisheries, oil and gas exploration and development."
- Governor Palin is aware of the changing climate of Alaska. When signing Administrative Order 238, establishing a sub-cabinet to prepare a climate change strategy, she stated in her press release that “Many scientists note that Alaska’s climate is changing”. In an interview with Mike Coppock of Newsmax.com on Aug 29, 2008, she stated that, “A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location”, but then went on to say, “I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.”
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