Infrastructure Challenges in the Alaskan Arctic - Henry Lee

In addition, climate change is accelerating the disappearance of sea ice, resulting Infrastructure Challenges in the Alaskan Arctic | Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center | August 2023 1 in storm-caused tidal surges that erode and flood the land, causing buildings to collapse and people to lose their homes. [...] The cost of installing adequate water and sanitation services in northwest Alaska can be several times higher than installing similar systems in the southern part of the state. [...] Are there alternatives to diesel oil? In the last two years, the global price of oil has risen, and this trend has driven diesel prices in the Arctic to new heights. [...] Department of Transportation should weigh the benefits and costs of granting these communities the flexibility to repair their infrastructure to local standards. [...] The first is to move the entire village and build new infrastructure systems, but the estimated costs are in the range of $400 million per village.2 The second is to help those who want to move to another community through assistance to both the individuals and the communities to which they intend to move.