((INTRO:))[[An observatory in Barrow, Alaska -- the most northerly astronomical outpost in the US, has become a key scientific instrument in studying climate change. Established in 1973, the Barrow Observatory is staffed year round by two researchers who plot, measure and track changes in air quality and weather, while also acclimating themselves with local traditions. Natasha Mozgovaya travelled to Barrow Alaska, now officially called Utqiagvik ((OOT-kee-AH-vik)) its original Inupiaq name,to see what life is like in one of the coldest and snowiest places in the world.]]
((NARRATOR))
Bryan Thomas is Station Chief at the northernmost scientific outpost in the US -- the Barrow Observatory. Since 2007, he and a colleague have trudged through snow and ice - taking measurements of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to track minute changes in earth's climate.
The town's isolation and the arctic atmosphere - with wind that has bypassed large cities - allows them to collect quality air samples.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"Here, we are monitoring for ozone depleting gases. These are compounds that were prohibited by the Montreal Protocol that was signed in the early 90s. And all the parties to the Montreal Protocol have agreed not to use these substances anymore."
((NARRATOR))
Recently Bryan also started monitoring the amount of methane in soil. It is being released from the ground as rising temperatures melt Alaska's permafrost.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"Methane is a greenhouse gas so there's concern that that might contribute to the warming of the Earth."
((NARRATOR))
Thomas work is unaffected by climate change policies in the White House – although the results might be interpreted differently than in the past.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"My job here is to take the measurements like we've been doing for 40 years. The measurements show that the carbon dioxide, for example, is increasing in the atmosphere. We know the physics of that, we know what that means for the atmosphere… And what we do about it and who does what about it and whenis a policy decision and a politics decision that I don't have a direct influence on."
((NARRATOR))
Thomas came here in 2007 from his home town of Sacramento, California. But this is home to his four-year-old son Ellis, who was was born here and goes to imersive kindergarten where he learns the local language, Inupiaq.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"It excites me that he is interested in doing that, and my older daughters as well are interested in the culture.
((NARRATOR))
The cold climate may not be conducive to meeting people, but Thomas says it hasn't stopped his family from making friends.
((MANDATORY CG OVER POLAR BEARS: REUTERS))
It's the friendly polar bears he worries about.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
So, one day when we were coming out, we always look out before we come… + and there was a white mound underneath the platform of the satellite antenna. The wildlife agent came... And he pulled up on his ATV and his four wheeler and he said "I watched the bear come over here!" And the bear was coming from the lagoon, it was coming from the ocean and had probably been on land for a few hours and wanted a place to rest."
((NARRATOR))
Just another part of life for those who live and work in the northernmost community in the United States, at the very edge of the Arctic Ocean.
((Natasha Mozgovoya, VOA News, Utqiagvik, Barrow, Alaska))
((NARRATOR))
Bryan Thomas is Station Chief at the northernmost scientific outpost in the US -- the Barrow Observatory. Since 2007, he and a colleague have trudged through snow and ice - taking measurements of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to track minute changes in earth's climate.
The town's isolation and the arctic atmosphere - with wind that has bypassed large cities - allows them to collect quality air samples.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"Here, we are monitoring for ozone depleting gases. These are compounds that were prohibited by the Montreal Protocol that was signed in the early 90s. And all the parties to the Montreal Protocol have agreed not to use these substances anymore."
((NARRATOR))
Recently Bryan also started monitoring the amount of methane in soil. It is being released from the ground as rising temperatures melt Alaska's permafrost.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"Methane is a greenhouse gas so there's concern that that might contribute to the warming of the Earth."
((NARRATOR))
Thomas work is unaffected by climate change policies in the White House – although the results might be interpreted differently than in the past.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"My job here is to take the measurements like we've been doing for 40 years. The measurements show that the carbon dioxide, for example, is increasing in the atmosphere. We know the physics of that, we know what that means for the atmosphere… And what we do about it and who does what about it and whenis a policy decision and a politics decision that I don't have a direct influence on."
((NARRATOR))
Thomas came here in 2007 from his home town of Sacramento, California. But this is home to his four-year-old son Ellis, who was was born here and goes to imersive kindergarten where he learns the local language, Inupiaq.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
"It excites me that he is interested in doing that, and my older daughters as well are interested in the culture.
((NARRATOR))
The cold climate may not be conducive to meeting people, but Thomas says it hasn't stopped his family from making friends.
((MANDATORY CG OVER POLAR BEARS: REUTERS))
It's the friendly polar bears he worries about.
((BRYAN THOMAS, BARROW OBSERVATORY STATION CHIEF))
So, one day when we were coming out, we always look out before we come… + and there was a white mound underneath the platform of the satellite antenna. The wildlife agent came... And he pulled up on his ATV and his four wheeler and he said "I watched the bear come over here!" And the bear was coming from the lagoon, it was coming from the ocean and had probably been on land for a few hours and wanted a place to rest."
((NARRATOR))
Just another part of life for those who live and work in the northernmost community in the United States, at the very edge of the Arctic Ocean.
((Natasha Mozgovoya, VOA News, Utqiagvik, Barrow, Alaska))