A small group of Alaskans gathered at the Alaska State Capitol to rally in support of bills and funding to address climate change. Rep. Donna Mears, an Anchorage Democrat, said climate disasters are costly for the state and the state needs to address this issue. She supports programs like the Renewable Energy Fund, which was established in 2008, and the Alaska Energy Authority has requested $41.2 million from the Legislature to help fund 29 renewable energy projects across the state next year. Other speakers included an advocate for two bills that haven't yet made it out of committees, HB 247 which would require oil producers to contribute 20 cents per barrel to a climate change response fund.