Soiling our Own Nest

This past class we discussed the unique colder climate of the Adirondacks, and as a person who considers herself somewhat of a futurist, I am specifically interested in how this climate will be affected by climate change. The author of our Atlas, Jerry Jenkins, wrote a book entitled Climate Change in the Adirondacks, which ultimately argues that the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is critical to preserving our climate.

As we mentioned in class, two of the most defining characteristics of the Adirondack’s geography and climate are the steep slopes and cold temperatures. Although a warmer climate in the Adirondack’s will certainly initially have an effect on the organisms residing in the park, a warmer climate will also greatly impact the region’s winter sports economy. Questions surrounding the long-term stability of some winter communities continue to grow as a result of scientists’ predictions of reduced snow coverage. While there is currently a wintertime peak snowpack of 16-20 inches, scientists predict that this number will fall to 4-5 inches by the end of the century if we continue our current rate of energy consumption.  

So, while we might think investing in fossil fuels is good for our economy now, Jenkins book serves as a warning, asking us to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. He wants us to think about how our actions today will affect us in the future. Once the snow disappears, the damage is irrevocable. The damage is irrevocable to Adirondacks and our economy. With a predicted decrease in snowfall, winter communities in the Adirondacks face a bleak future in both an ecological and economical sense. The graphs below visually represent what scientists are predicting for the future of the Adirondacks:

(http://seaandskyny.com/2012/01/30/is-there-a-future-to-skiing-in-the-adirondacks/)

(http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2010/08/climate-change-in-the-adirondacks.html)