Climate change
Jack Hughes
Places along the foothills of the mountains still have some beautiful color and even in the mountains a few pockets of color remain.
Jack Hughes
Here it is just about mid way through November and we still have leaves on the trees. Places along the foothills of the mountains still have some beautiful color and even in the mountains a few pockets of color remain.
A number of areas in our urban settings are also posting some beautiful reds, yellows and oranges. A few of the remaining red oaks are simply stunning. The burning bush shrubs add a bit of color at ground level. Just a few weeks ago, we were not sure if the leaves would ever turn. Mother Nature is not one to disappoint.
No question the colors were late this year as they were last year. The abundance of sunshine and the lack of persistent cold weather certainly had to do with the lateness. Temperatures were above normal in August, September and October. November has also averaged a little bit above normal. Is this warming the new normal or just a period of warmer than normal temperatures? It蘑菇视频 been a long time since we have experienced the fall colors so late in the season. I have lived in the mountains for more than 40 years and this is the latest color change that I have experienced.
Any weather change is always followed by the familiar discussion on climate change. Certainly the climate is changing. The controversial discussion has been what man蘑菇视频 role has been on the changing climate of our planet. Let us not forget that at one time, Pennsylvania was once tropical and at another time much of northern Pennsylvania was covered with ice. Longer falls and warmer winters may not be all that bad. Large areas of the planet could also become warm enough to sustain the growth of food crops and extend the growing season. Certainly, a lot of money spent on heating and energy could be saved as well as the benefit of burning lesser amounts on fossil fuels. But then there are the areas that will get too warm and cause a decrease in land available for crops due to lesser amounts of rainfall?
And are storms really getting worse because of climate change or do we just have too many people living in harm蘑菇视频 way? Hurricane Matthew was an eye opener. It could have been a lot worse. A path 50 miles further west would probably have produced much more damage and destruction.
The debate over climate change will rage on. For now, we should take advantage of the nice fall weather to ready ourselves for the inevitable coming of winter.