Overview

• Newtok, Alaska, has been severely impacted by erosion and melting permafrost, losing about 70 feet of land annually.
• The last 71 residents of Newtok are relocating to Mertarvik, joining 230 others who began moving in 2019.
• The relocation process started over two decades ago, involving a land swap with the federal government for a new site on Nelson Island
• Alaska is warming two to three times faster than the global average, exacerbating infrastructure damage from permafrost degradation.
• The move to Mertarvik offers improved living conditions, including plans for piped water and sewer systems, and a new school set to open in 2026.