Climate Change in the Adirondacks

For much of the second half of the semester, we have been focusing on the damage done to the park by developers and recreationalists. However, climate change also plays a major role in the health and sustainability of the park. As we have learned, the Adirondacks is especially vulnerable to the threat of climate change because of its thin, nutrient-depleted soils. Acid rain presents one of the greatest threats to the forests in the region, which are inherently more vulnerable to acidic soil conditions because of the harsh Adirondack climate. Winds funneling from the Midwest pollute the Adirondack region in the form of acid rain, snow, sleet, fog and dry particles. However, looking to end the semester on a positive note, I found that acid rain conditions have shown great improvements in the area. The International Acid Rain Conference held this past October announced that the pollutants that cause acid rain have curbed sharply. These pollutants, primarily nitrogen oxides and sulfur have declined broadly across America. As the nation transitions away from coal and other fossil fuels, and begins to invest in clean energy, we are beginning to see great results. New York State has seen a drop in sulfur-based air pollution at a rate of 92 percent since 1985. Nitrogen oxides have also decreased by more than 70 percent.  

One success story involves the fish populations in Silver Lake. During the 1970s, the lake was for the most part considered dead. More than half of its fish had suffocated from gill damage cause by acid rain. Populations continued to drop because the pH remained too low for the fish to reproduce. Today, however, the chemical balance has recovered and the fish populations are thriving again. Brook trout are being caught at record-breaking sizes and the people are starting to enjoy the benefits of clean water. 

Looking towards the future, we should use the success story of the acid rain dilemma to motivate to reduce other forms of climate change. New York and the EPA are using a cap-and-trade program to give financial incentives for companies to reduce their levels of pollution. While levels of acidity in the region’s water sources have shown great improvements, fish populations are still at danger of suffering from rising temperatures in the rivers and streams. However, society as a whole seems to be shifting towards more environmentally conscious forms of living, including the cars we drive, the food we eat, and the energy we consume. This gives some hope for the future. Climate change poses a major threat for the Adirondacks, and we should focus our efforts not only on controlling sustainable development in the park, but also in reducing the effect of climate change and pollution from inside, and outside sources.


Sources Cited:
http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2015/12/57463.html
http://acidrain2015.org