Alaska is experiencing a wide range of impacts from climate change and communities seek adaptive strategies that encourage wellness and sustainability. This report documents climate change impacts as described by community residents and climate change effects or potential effects as interpreted through the lens of public health. It is the seventh report in a series describing climate change in communities across Alaska, and the third report to focus on the Bristol Bay region. In the Alutiiq and Yupik community of Levelock Alaska, residents report changes to the weather, seasons, landscape, plants, and wildlife with important implications for community health. Understanding local impact of climate change is important for assessing negative and positive effects, and developing appropriate adaptation strategies. Levelock is in an area characterized by sandy soils that are vulnerable to erosion. The changes in the timing of the seasons, temperature, precipitation, wind, and extreme events like flooding are all impacts that may influence erosion, with important implications for infrastructure. Some subsistence resources such as caribou have been declining and there are concerns about the year to year variability of berry harvest and other foods. Rising air temperatures and precipitation in summer and fall raises concerns about conditions for preparation of subsistence foods. River change related to low water level in the warm season and poor ice conditions after freeze up, is resulting in travel related hazards and need for adaptive measures to prevent injury.
