Alaska & Montana Commonalities
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Glaciers*
Ponds, lakes and wetlands
Forest Fires/Diseases*
Migratory Birds
Cold Water Fish
Fish Sticks and other
Seafood
Winter Sports
Indigenous Peoples
Robust Renewable Energy
Potential
Iconic, Beautiful Natural
States
Important Senators*
Global Warming in Montana
“In Montana average annual air temperature has increased about 1
degree… annual snowfall has decreased by 6 to 22 inches across
the state, snowmelt is occurring 2-3 weeks earlier than in 1950 and
wildfires greater than 1,000 acres have increased six-fold in the last
40 years.”
Dr. Steve Running University of Montana February 2007
Glaciers -- Montana
“The glaciers of Montana are not merely touchstones. They are
crystal balls foretelling our future” Todd Wilkinson – New West Network 6/13/2006
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Glacier National Park
– Number of glaciers in 1850: 150
– Number of glaciers in 2007: 26
Shepard Glacier 1913
Shepard Glacier 2005
Forest Disease -- Montana
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Large Infestations of Mountain Pine Beetle
 In 2006, 813,000 acres of pine forest were recently infected
with the beetle.
(Missoulian 2/14/07).
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Dramatically increasing outbreaks of Western Spruce Bud Worm
in Montana (Missoulian 2/14/07).
 In 2006, 1.12 million acres of forests were affected by the
insect that consumes the needles of Douglas fir trees.
 In 2005, 449,000 acres.
 In 2004, 177,000 acres.
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The national forests hit hardest by the Western spruce budworm
include the Gallatin, Helena and Beaverhead-Deerlodge (Missoulian
2/14/07).
Migratory Birds -- Scaup
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Population of these diving ducks appears
“to be in peril” (Consensus Report 2006 [CR]).
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Declined from over 7 million (in 1970s)
to 3.39 million (2005) (CR).
 Record low in 2006 -- 3.2 million (Ducks
Unlimited 2007).
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70% breed in western boreal forest;
fastest rate of decline (94,000 birds
per year (1978 to 2005.)) “…declines
reflect breeding season events” (CR).
19% wetland loss in Yukon Flats
(1985-89 v. 2001-03)
 Where ponds lose 20% or more
surface, decline in scaup food sources
(i.e., amphipods, gastropods and
chironomid larvae) (Corcoran et. al 2007).
Dall Sheep
“…we’re going to have declining Dall sheep. We’re
losing their habitat” Dr. John Morton - Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
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Dall sheep live exclusively in alpine tundra
Due to warmer temperatures, the treeline in
the Kenai Mountains has risen at a rate of
about 1 meter/year over the past 50 years.
Photo: Tim Craig, Wildlife Biologist BLM
Muskoxen
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Population in northern Alaska and
Canada declined from approximately
700 to 400 (Pat Reynolds FWS 2007).
 Risk Factors
• Icing events
• Lower calf production
• Deeper snow
• Not highly mobile
• Increase in disease
e.g. nematode lungworm
(able to complete life
cycle in 1 years vs.
2 years) (Kutz et. al, 2004)
Brown Bears
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Factors of Concern
– Diet Impairment: fish and berries (Kenai Brown Bears – fish 90% of
diet vs. black bears 10%)
– Hibernation disturbances for reproducing females (Jan-May)
• 2 months to implant
• Cub growth
• Flooding of dens (Sean Farley ADF&G 2007).
Reduction in productivity and survival rates
followed salmon decline in Kuskokwim
(additional research underway) (Steve Kovach FWS 2007).
Polar Bear in Peril
 Largest land or ice predator on
earth. Males weigh more than
1200 lbs, 12 ft. long and 50 in.
necks.
 Born in snow dens, weighing about
a pound and half
 Most mobile of all quadrupeds
some in excess of 600,00 km2
 Feed almost entirely on 2 species
of ice seals ringed (90%) and
bearded
 Evolved between 80,000 (fossil
record) and 200,000 (molecular
genetics) years ago (Steve Amstrup, 2007).
What We Can Do
Government Actions
Senator Max Baucus
“Then there is Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who among the EPW
Committee Democrats may stand out as her (Senator Boxer’s)
toughest target.”
Then: In 2002, voted against a bill to cap carbon dioxide
emissions from power plants. Also opposed the McCainLieberman legislation in 2003 and 2005.
Now: "I'm very interested in what California is doing…On the
other hand, I think we need a national system. This is a world
problem. It's not a single state problem.”
“Cap and trade is very important,” he said.
“It has to be done.”