Climate Change is Happening Right Here, Right Now
It’s easy to think of climate change as a long-term, somewhere off in the future problem. In reality, climate change is already impacting many of the places we know and love. Although it’s a truly global problem, climate impacts hit close to home, no matter where you live. Across the US, for example, iconic staples in many communities are feeling the heat.
This year, for the first time recorded history, there was no snow on the ground in Chicago in January or February. Typically, these months are the snowiest of the year in the Windy City, and the snow drought is already impacting flora and fauna. While sunbathing in February might be pleasant, the consequences of this so-called season creep can be devastating to crops, farmers, and other industries.
“It’s a real risk, not only cosmetically for things in your backyard, but it also has tremendous economic damage for fruit growers,” said Jim Angel, state climatologist at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
Take, for example, Georgia’s peach growers. The Peach State’s famous fruits need at least 1000 hours of cooling time by February 15th to reach their full potential. As of February 10th this year, they only had 470 hours.
If you live in a state where you’re used to seeing moose, there’s a scary reason why there are fewer of the quadrupeds in your community. Ticks are killing nearly 70 percent (yes, 70!) of moose calves in Maine and New Hampshire, strengthened by shorter winters and rising temperatures. Lee Kantar, a moose biologist, described the ongoing moosacre as “a sinister, evil horror movie.”
In Washington, DC, there’s a more pleasant image, but one that should be troubling nonetheless. The nation’s capital could see the earliest bloom of its iconic cherry blossoms ever, as an early Spring sweeps across much of the US.
Maple syrup producers in New Hampshire are also in hot water, as unseasonably warm days keep the sap from taps and decrease the quality of what does make its way out of the trees.
“We are already seeing the real impacts of climate change on our economy — including on our maple syrup and ski industries,” said NH Senator Maggie Hassan.
In South Florida, buying a home can be an even bigger ordeal thanks to rising insurance costs due to sea level rise. New homes are built on higher ground, and sea walls must be taller than ever before. Even more, “nuisance” flooding — flooding that leads to public inconveniences such as road closures, is becoming more and more common. (Good luck matching rain boots to your Dolphins jersey.)
From Florida to Maine to the nation’s capital, we all face the challenge of adapting to a warming world. So the next time your friends are singing the praises of a balmy February day, remember that this isn’t natural. This is climate change.
For more on local impacts, visit Climate Signals — the only interactive website showing current weather events related to climate change.
