University of Alaska Fairbanks
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

In UAF's Vision 2017 task force report sustainability have a strong position. Our biggest challenges in sustainability are Alaska's geographical location and cold climate. "• Development of local economic opportunities. • Reduced net energy use in buildings. • Advances in construction, renovation and the development and selection of heating, ventilation and power systems (such as solar and bio-fuel systems). • More secure food production and distribution. • More cost-effective transportation." (vision 2017, page 12)

"As oil and gas resources are depleted and their use is further limited by the need to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, northern communities will need to adapt to increased costs of electricity, heating fuel and transportation. Two major areas of adaptation will be in the construction and operation of buildings and the production and distribution of food. UAF has significant resources in both areas that could be the basis for a consortium focused on improving the sustainability of Alaska communities."

"The survival and prosperity of communities require us to overcome high fuel and transportation costs, and the threatened and real loss of subsidies like the Power Cost Equalization Program and by-pass mail that help offset those expenses. Directed research that enables Alaskans to take advantage of affordable local renewable and alternative energy resources or grow and harvest our own food ensures economic opportunities without sacrificing our unique cultural character." "Alaskans have become dependent on oil revenues over the last 30 years. Since a sustainable state economy must be more diversified, we will move from a dependence on oil revenue to one that is more dependent on other nonrenewable (e.g., natural gas, coal, gold, zinc, boron and molybdenum) and renewable natural resources (e.g., energy, fisheries,forestry and agriculture), as well as other revenue sources, such as tourism." (vision 2017, page 11)