Discuss: Relocating Newtok

This is an interesting and well written article. The Yup’ik certainly seem to be doing the right thing when they insist on maintaining the cultural integrity of their village. As I read the article however, I was stunned by the cost estimate to move the village. Approximately $400,000 per person seemed unreasonably high even for as harsh an environment as the shore of the Baird Inlet. As I continued to read, the reason for the high cost estimate became clear: “THERE ARE TWENTY government agencies directly involved in the relocation of Newtok, as well as five regional NGOs. ” In fact, I now believe a decimal point was misplaced; the actual cost will be closer to four Million dollars per person.

With respect to the lawsuit against the oil companies, I note that climate is ever changing and that global climate has been warming for the past 20,000 years. Some of the warming is no doubt human caused including that caused by the ancestors of the suitors. Indeed, even their current day neighbors are at fault “Shishmaref’s heating oil tank farm was three hundred feet from a seaside cliff; it is now less than thirty feet from the edge.” I sincerely doubt this refers to whale oil.

I am the individual responsible for soliciting the Pentagon’s Innovative Readiness Training Program for assistance in constructing the evacuation shelter on Nelson Island, in 2007.  Without the assistance of the Depart of Defense in this undertaking, it is unlikely that a shelter would have been built in sufficient time for the residents to relocate.  All of this has become possible because of the diligence and passion of many people-  government and NGO’s.  Stanley Tom’s leadership in this regard is one for the history-leadership books.  He is remarkable in carrying the story of Newtok to the world, just as his people are each and all remarkable.  We should all be blessed with such remarkable families.