Missing US Climate Journalist Alec Luhn Sparks Search Efforts in Norway

Rescue operations for US climate journalist Alec Luhn, who went missing on a glacier in Norway, face challenges due to bad weather, as his wife and colleagues call for support in the search effort.

Rescue teams in Norway are currently working to locate Alec Luhn, a climate journalist from the US, who has been unaccounted for since embarking on a hike in Folgefonna National Park. Luhn, who has contributed to various prestigious outlets, including the BBC and Scientific American, started his trek from Odda on July 31. His wife, Veronika Silchenko, reported his absence when he failed to board his scheduled flight home on Monday, prompting her to alert local authorities.

Search efforts are encountering difficulties as adverse weather conditions have hindered helicopter patrols. Instead, rescuers have turned to dogs and drones, as reported by the New York Times, to aid in the search for the missing journalist. Ingeborg Thorsland, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Red Cross, expressed concern over the impact of poor visibility on the search operations.

Silchenko described Luhn, 38, as an adept outdoorsman with a deep fascination for the Arctic region. She shared, "Alec is basically obsessed with the Arctic," highlighting his dedication to documenting the effects of climate change on glaciers, which are vanishing at alarming rates. Luhn's professional pursuits have taken him across various landscapes, with recent moves to cities like London, Moscow, and Istanbul.

His prior work includes in-depth reporting on significant environmental issues, such as Canada's year-round "zombie" wildfires, prompting further exploration into the real-time impacts of climate change. The search for Luhn continues, as family and friends remain hopeful for his safe return.