By Russ Moat(from an article
appearing on Sept. 19, 2004 in the Lewiston Sun Journal by Kathryn
Skelton)
In the 1930’s, 80% of the world’s maple syrup came
from New England and 20% from Canada. The number is now reversed.
The average New England temperature rose 0.7 degrees F
from 1895 to 1999. Maine cooled 0.5 degrees F, likely due to increased
tree cover.
Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire have had a nearly 15%
drop in snowfall over the last 50 years. The winter ice on Moosehead
Lake is clearing out 5 days earlier on average than it did 100 years
ago.
Scientists say the average global sea level rose 6
inches in the last century and expect a rise of 3 to 34 inches in the
next 100 years.
Scientific models project New England temperatures
will rise 6 to 10 degrees by 2100, making Boston feel like Virginia or
Georgia. As temperatures rise, deer ticks carrying Lyme disease spread
further north. Projected temperatures could make southern Maine too
warm for white pines, maples and hemlocks.
One of the areas where we as individuals can make a
difference is taking steps to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas
emissions that we directly contribute to the atmosphere. What steps are
you taking?
