Library Call Number: E99.E7S463 2011.
Forcibly moved by the U.S Government in
the early 20th century to a narrow island near the Arctic Circle called
Kivalina, the Inupiat people endured the harsh conditions because of their
traditional “understanding of and close connection to the cycles and rhythms of
the land." As early as the 1950’s however, they noticed ocean storms were
eroding the island at an alarming rate.
Now the permafrost is melting and the entire village is at risk, yet
Government agencies “who contradicted their knowledge of the area,” are
blocking their attempts to relocate. With
an estimated relocation cost of $400 million, the residents finally filed a
climate change lawsuit, charging Big Oil with contributing to the loss of their
homes. Shearer’s story shines a light on another David and Goliath story: the
oil corporations who continue to dissemble and blur the real costs of climate
change, their undue influence on American government “and the cultural disconnect between Native
Alaskans and American agencies whose clumsy, often patronizing management of
Kivalina's dire situation has only exacerbated the community's problem.”
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