U.S. federal scientist says Arctic climate work cost him position

Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media
Posted: Friday, July 21, 2017 at 15:04
0 Comments

The village of Kivalina, Alaska. Will this be on of the stops on President Barack Obama's upcoming Arctic trip? (Northwest Arctic Borough via The Anchorage Daily News/AP) — Kivalina, Alaska is one of the indigenous communities threatened by climate change, according to scientist Joel Clement. (Northwest Arctic Borough/The Anchorage Daily News/AP/CP)

A former policy adviser at the Interior Department said the Trump Administration has retaliated against him for warning about the dangers of climate change to Alaska Native communities.

Joel Clement wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post about his reassignment to what he considers a lesser position. Clement used to advise the Obama administration on climate issues and the Arctic.

A spokeswoman for Interior told the publication “The Hill” that senior personnel are being moved “to better serve the taxpayer.”

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she’s asking the inspector general to investigate.

VIDEO

In this video by The Washington Post, Joel Clement explains how some indigenous communities in Alaska are threatened by climate change, and why he thinks his reassignment was retaliation.