Cook Inlet has some of the largest tides in the world, but so far their energy potential has been left untapped.

The group signed off on a letter to other advisory committees around Alaska urging them to take action on climate change.

The ways Sitka could and is being affected by climate change are numerous: the impact of warming oceans on the fishing industry, landslides, increased pest activity in the Tongass, more intense storms impacting utilities — the list could go on.

The state won 10-year oil leases for nine pieces of land by submitting the minimum offer: $25 an acre. But drilling for oil in the refuge is expensive, and it faces an aggressive opposition campaign.

Business owners and local officials say they’re worried that keeping guests in a bubble would squeeze out most of Southeast Alaska’s small tour companies, retailers and restaurants.

Barrick’s CEO said the biggest challenge to developing the mine is the nearly $7 billion cost, including building a power plant, road and 315-mile gas pipeline.