Climate Change: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Written by Michael Crimmins
Climate varies naturally over timescales from seasons to millions of years, but recent changes in levels of "greenhouse gases" due to human activities have impacted the Earth’s relatively sensitive climate system. Observations from the past century show that the planet is warming at an unprecedented rate due to increasing levels of these "heat trapping" gases. A warming planet means more than just increasing temperatures. Melting ice caps and a warming ocean are causing sea levels to rise, and more energy in the atmosphere is disrupting the climate system, bringing more extreme events, including floods, droughts, and heat waves, to different regions around the globe.
So what does this have to do with me, a woodland owner? Warming temperatures and shorter winters sound like a good thing! There will be winners and losers as the climate continues to change; forest ecosystems are no exception. Shorter winters, for example, may help some woodland areas thrive, while others are stricken with new diseases and pests. Basic information on climate change science and how it may impact your area can be an important tool in your management toolbox. In this section, we will examine how the Earth’s climate system works, how it connects to climatic patterns across U.S. forest and woodland areas, and how these areas may be impacted as patterns in temperature and precipitation continue to change. Broad topics in this section include:
- An overview of the Earth’s climate system and the role of the greenhouse effect
- The climate of U.S. forest and woodland areas (patterns in temperature and precipitation)
- Using climate change projection information
- Climate change fact and fiction
- Dealing with rising CO2 levels: policy responses and mitigation efforts.
Climate change science is rapidly changing with new discoveries being made every day, but the basic message is the same: the planet will continue to warm and climate patterns will continue to change as greenhouse gas levels climb. Science on the impact of a changing climate to forest and woodland ecosystems also continues to grow. We will strive to post the most cutting-edge research findings on climate change impacts to forests and woodlands and adaptation strategies to support forest and woodland owners and managers.
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