Alaskans Know Climate Change's Interview with Dr. Al Gross

 As soon as the Governor’s state-wide travel ban was lifted, Dr. Al Gross and his wife Monica loaded into their RV from their home in Anchorage and hit the road. Dr. Gross is running as an Independent for U.S. Senate against the pro-fossil fuel, anti-science incumbent, Dan Sullivan, in the upcoming November 3 election.

 Alaskans Know Climate Change had an opportunity to visit ‑ while observing safe social distancing precautions ‑ with Dr. Gross and Monica on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Ocean Shores RV park in beautiful Homer, Alaska. Dr. Gross was generous enough to grant us an interview.

 Although there is much to discuss during these strange Coronavirus times, that a medical doctor running for U.S. Senate could speak to, we wanted to hear what he understood about anthropogenic global warming and how he would address the planetary crisis once in office. Alaska is the only Arctic state in the nation and the Arctic is warming at twice the rate as the mid-latitudes.

 Throughout Alaska and across much of the nation there appears to be a strong uptick of anti-science rhetoric. It’s interesting to remark that the current make-up of the United States Congress, by profession, contains very few medical doctors or other careers in science. Behind professional Public Service/Politics, the two most frequently listed occupational categories are Business and Law. Our Nation’s shabby response to COVID-19 and persistent foot-dragging on the climate crisis are indications that many of our elected officials are scientifically illiterate.

 It’s refreshing to meet and interact with a life-long Alaskan who thinks about the issues of our time through the lens of measured, critical and fact-based thinking. As terrible as COVID-19 is, there is also an opportunity here that we should not miss. Returning to “normal” is not an option if we desire a livable climate for ourselves, future generations of Alaskans and the millions of species we share the planet with.

 Please enjoy Alaskans Know Climate Change’s interview with Dr. Al Gross.

 If you would like to support Alaskans Know Climate Change or Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, please become a member or consider making a donation by clicking HERE.

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