Governor Walker Appoints Members of Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team

Press Release

Governor Bill Walker today appointed the 15 public members and five ex-officio members of the Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team, established in October by Administrative Order 289. Governor Walker announced the team following an extensive internal review of nearly 100 applications. The team will focus on mitigation, adaptation, research, and response for Alaska.

"Naming our team is another critical step in advancing meaningful climate policy," Governor Walker said. "I am proud to present a motivated group of leaders, each of whom brings a range of expertise and interests to the table. Our team members not only represent a breadth of experience across the state from the North Slope to the Southeast, but also have strong networks and resources spanning from Alaska to the rest of the world, giving us a voice in the global dialogue on climate change."

Every team member is directly involved in Alaska's collective response to climate change, with professional backgrounds in science, industry and entrepreneurship, community wellbeing and planning, natural resources, environmental advocacy and policy making. The expertise of leadership team members includes renewable energy and energy efficiency, coastal resilience, indigenous knowledge and culture, science communication, technological innovation, and transportation systems.

To build upon past climate policy initiatives while also encouraging new ideas, the team includes six members who were involved with the former Sub-Cabinet on Climate Change. In addition to current and former leaders from local and tribal governments, the group has two emerging leaders who are passionate about climate solutions that will protect and empower future generations.

Lt. Governor Byron Mallott has been appointed by the governor to chair the leadership team. "This dynamic group has the experience, ideas and enthusiasm to develop actionable policy recommendations in response to our changing climate," Mallott said. "Their collective advice and recommendations for climate priorities, actions, and goals will provide invaluable guidance to the Governor and Alaskans as we work together to address the challenges and opportunities associated with climate change."

The first meeting of the team will take place on December 18, 2017, in Anchorage. The Institute of the North, who has played a key support role for previous efforts such as the Alaska Arctic Council Host Committee, will serve as secretariat for the team. The team will provide the Governor and his cabinet with recommendations and guidance on climate change on an ongoing basis.

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