The Alaskan town falling into the sea
By Harrison Christian
PledgeMe.Project
Journalism,
NZ $3,720 pledged
58 people pledged
Closed
NZ $3,500 minimum target
This campaign was successful and closed on 23/12/2016 at 5:00 PM.
Make a PledgeAbout
The Alaskan Town Falling Into The Sea
Project 2016-11-20 13:06:15 +1300
Help a Kiwi journalist head to Alaska to report on the devastating effects of climate change - warning signs for us here in Aotearoa.
Climate change is set to displace millions of people over the next few decades. We need to start a conversation about the damage this will inflict on countries and cultures, and the role of governments in assisting climate change refugees.
The town falling into the sea
Shishmaref is a town on a remote island off the coast of Alaska, where the effects of climate change are seen as the most dramatic in the world. More than 200 feet of shoreline has disappeared in the last 40 years, forcing some people to re-locate their homes dozens of times.
The island's 600 residents have voted to move to the mainland, but the decision is largely symbolic as the US government won't fund the estimated $180 million cost. How long before New Zealand communities end up in this situation?
US president-elect Donald Trump has already selected a prominent climate change denier to head the Environmental Protection Agency's transition plans, signalling his disregard for the policies brought in by Barack Obama. This means Shishmaref's situation is now even more dire.
Aotearoa to Alaska
I hope to travel to Shishmaref in the Alaskan spring (June '17), to produce a comprehensive piece of journalism about the islanders' battle with erosion, flooding and storm surges, and to have their plight recognized as a legitimate crisis. I’ll also work to document their unique Inupiaq Eskimo culture, which is facing extinction.
This is where you can help
Funding will help with travel costs and the production of comprehensive online coverage (photos, video and a written article).
About me
I'm a journalist based in Auckland who writes for a variety of outlets - usually multi-platform agency Newshub. Other bylines include Metro Magazine, The Wireless and The Pantograph Punch. I'm interested in how climate change is affecting people's daily lives around the world.
To see some of my work, go to:
Harrisonchristian.co.nz
Twitter: @germalist
Instagram: hc_nz
Comments
Updates
Hey! Thanks for checking out this project.
We haven't made any updates yet, follow us if you want to be notified when we do.
Pledgers 58
2016-12-21 22:28:11 +1300
2016-12-19 18:02:21 +1300
"Go Harry! Love the Ashwells"

2016-12-11 09:48:54 +1300

2016-12-09 19:16:17 +1300
"Mr G and I look back on the days of 'idiots Inc' as without question, among our finest to date at Kristin."
2016-12-09 13:42:42 +1300

2016-12-09 13:10:16 +1300
"Safe journeys mate "

2016-12-09 11:35:25 +1300
"Awesome stuff Harry, congrats on meeting the target! Luke"
2016-12-09 10:44:08 +1300
"Good luck :)"

2016-12-09 09:42:36 +1300

2016-12-08 14:27:52 +1300

2016-12-08 12:09:06 +1300

2016-12-08 07:06:14 +1300
"This is something we can all do - do it!"
2016-12-07 22:37:21 +1300
"Good on ya man! "
2016-12-07 15:25:15 +1300
2016-12-07 13:46:43 +1300
"Fuck the photo print, hit me up for a beer."
2016-12-07 12:53:36 +1300
"Go get 'em tiger! You've got all my support for this :-)"

2016-12-07 08:20:12 +1300
"Good luck , from Nick"
2016-12-07 00:10:29 +1300
"sry, really broke atm, all i can spare. good luck!"
2016-12-06 15:51:49 +1300
2016-12-06 09:52:38 +1300
"I look forward to seeing your work mate!"
2016-12-05 23:25:51 +1300
2016-12-05 22:25:55 +1300

2016-12-05 15:42:04 +1300
"A great worthwhile cause - sorry it can't be more"

2016-12-05 14:46:11 +1300
"Here's to the halcyon days! All the very best Harrison and very much looking forward to your next story. Travel safely."

2016-12-05 13:54:04 +1300
2016-12-05 12:14:47 +1300
"Best of luck Harrison. Looking forward to following your story. Cheers, Lucy Wilson (Kristin)"

2016-12-05 09:09:10 +1300

2016-12-04 10:53:15 +1300
"Keep up the good work man."
2016-12-03 22:56:28 +1300
2016-12-02 13:09:36 +1300
Followers 8
Followers of The Alaskan town falling into the sea
The Alaskan Town Falling Into The Sea
Project 2016-11-20 13:06:15 +1300
Help a Kiwi journalist head to Alaska to report on the devastating effects of climate change - warning signs for us here in Aotearoa.
Climate change is set to displace millions of people over the next few decades. We need to start a conversation about the damage this will inflict on countries and cultures, and the role of governments in assisting climate change refugees.
The town falling into the sea
Shishmaref is a town on a remote island off the coast of Alaska, where the effects of climate change are seen as the most dramatic in the world. More than 200 feet of shoreline has disappeared in the last 40 years, forcing some people to re-locate their homes dozens of times.
The island's 600 residents have voted to move to the mainland, but the decision is largely symbolic as the US government won't fund the estimated $180 million cost. How long before New Zealand communities end up in this situation?
US president-elect Donald Trump has already selected a prominent climate change denier to head the Environmental Protection Agency's transition plans, signalling his disregard for the policies brought in by Barack Obama. This means Shishmaref's situation is now even more dire.
Aotearoa to Alaska
I hope to travel to Shishmaref in the Alaskan spring (June '17), to produce a comprehensive piece of journalism about the islanders' battle with erosion, flooding and storm surges, and to have their plight recognized as a legitimate crisis. I’ll also work to document their unique Inupiaq Eskimo culture, which is facing extinction.
This is where you can help
Funding will help with travel costs and the production of comprehensive online coverage (photos, video and a written article).
About me
I'm a journalist based in Auckland who writes for a variety of outlets - usually multi-platform agency Newshub. Other bylines include Metro Magazine, The Wireless and The Pantograph Punch. I'm interested in how climate change is affecting people's daily lives around the world.
To see some of my work, go to:
Harrisonchristian.co.nz
Twitter: @germalist
Instagram: hc_nz
Comments
Hey! Thanks for checking out this project.
We haven't made any updates yet, follow us if you want to be notified when we do.
2016-12-21 22:28:11 +1300
2016-12-19 18:02:21 +1300
"Go Harry! Love the Ashwells"

2016-12-11 09:48:54 +1300

2016-12-09 19:16:17 +1300
"Mr G and I look back on the days of 'idiots Inc' as without question, among our finest to date at Kristin."
2016-12-09 13:42:42 +1300

2016-12-09 13:10:16 +1300
"Safe journeys mate "

2016-12-09 11:35:25 +1300
"Awesome stuff Harry, congrats on meeting the target! Luke"
2016-12-09 10:44:08 +1300
"Good luck :)"

2016-12-09 09:42:36 +1300

2016-12-08 14:27:52 +1300

2016-12-08 12:09:06 +1300

2016-12-08 07:06:14 +1300
"This is something we can all do - do it!"
2016-12-07 22:37:21 +1300
"Good on ya man! "
2016-12-07 15:25:15 +1300
2016-12-07 13:46:43 +1300
"Fuck the photo print, hit me up for a beer."
2016-12-07 12:53:36 +1300
"Go get 'em tiger! You've got all my support for this :-)"

2016-12-07 08:20:12 +1300
"Good luck , from Nick"
2016-12-07 00:10:29 +1300
"sry, really broke atm, all i can spare. good luck!"
2016-12-06 15:51:49 +1300
2016-12-06 09:52:38 +1300
"I look forward to seeing your work mate!"
2016-12-05 23:25:51 +1300
2016-12-05 22:25:55 +1300

2016-12-05 15:42:04 +1300
"A great worthwhile cause - sorry it can't be more"

2016-12-05 14:46:11 +1300
"Here's to the halcyon days! All the very best Harrison and very much looking forward to your next story. Travel safely."

2016-12-05 13:54:04 +1300
2016-12-05 12:14:47 +1300
"Best of luck Harrison. Looking forward to following your story. Cheers, Lucy Wilson (Kristin)"

2016-12-05 09:09:10 +1300

2016-12-04 10:53:15 +1300
"Keep up the good work man."