No More Northeast

I read the USGCRP report on the Northeast and how climate change will impact this region.

Winter precipitation is expected to see an increase in rain and a decrease in snow. The snow will melt earlier in the spring, which means earlier peak river flows. Overall the snow season is expected to be cut in half in the northern states of this region. This is terrible news for the ski industry and the devoted skiers. Additionally summers are expected to be longer and hotter.

                With the change in climate there will be a shift of tree species. Generally the species at their southern limits will retreat north. Tree species that exist just south of the northeast will take advantage and move north. This means that there will be less fir and spruce species, which are already restricted to alpine and northern zones. Maple, a symbol of Vermont, will be moving north as well. This has economic implications, both for sugaring and tourism. Trees will not be the only species to migrate; other plants and animals will be forced to move north or to higher elevations as temperatures rise.

                The dairy industry accounts for $3.6 billion in the northeast’s economy. An increase in temperature causes stress in the cows which results in lower milk production; in some states milk production could be reduced as much as 20 percent. The report mentions that this could be a serious underestimation of the economic downturn farmers may experience. Additionally this will subtract from the traditional scenery of the northeast.

                The heavily populated coast is threatened by sea level rises and could result in catastrophic damage. Insurers are hesitant to insure coastal homeowners. New York City is especially vulnerable to flooding; one would imagine that such a prosperous city would begin planning for the worst.

                Finally the fisheries, which are already threatened, are facing increasing pressure from rising temperatures. I grew up fishing off the coast of Massachusetts, and traveling along the New Hampshire and Maine coastline. It would be a devastating blow to lose the fishing industry. It is an integral part of New England life. Almost everything that defines the Northeast is threatened by the rising temperatures. If everyone in the world had access to reports like this it might make a significant difference. When the impacts of climate change are explicitly laid out in relation to your home it makes a huge difference. If people took this to heart, there could be amazing changes. At this point drastic actions must be taken. Perhaps the most viable is to annex Canada and move north.