Native village residents could be first climate change refugees


An aerial view of Kivalina in Alaska. Photo from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via Wikipedia

Residents of an Alaska Native village could be the nation's first "climate change refugees," Dave Malkoff reports for the TODAY show.

Malkoff traveled to Kivalina to learn more about the dangers facing the community of about 400 people. Their home is falling into the ocean due to rising sea levels and melting ice, both of which are being blamed on climate change.

"It's a sad thing," an elder told Malkoff. The changing climate has hurt hunting, fishing and other activities in the village.


Indianz.Com SoundCloud: President Millie Hawley of the Native Village of Kivalina introduces President Barack Obama to the Arctic

President Barack Obama flew over Kivalina during his historic visit to the Arctic last week. He said the Denali Commission will serve as the "central coordinator" to help communities in Alaska address climate change.

Obama, however, did not commit to providing the hundreds of millions of dollars it would take to move the village to higher ground. Congress hasn't offered any money either.

Obama spent three days in Alaska to focus on climate change.

Get the Story:
Dave Malkoff: Climate Change in Kivalina, Alaska (Dave Malkoff / Today Show / YouTube 9/6)

Also Today:
Climate warrior Obama invades tiny town in the Arctic (The Washington Post 9/3)

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