| Most of this diary originally appeared back on Sun Oct 21, 2007. Sadly, the human contribution to the global climate crisis has gotten worse, not better, since then.
It's not just your imagination. The climate in West Virginia really has changed. It really has changed in just the last 20 years!
As we reported back in January, at the very end of last year the National Arbor Day Foundation took into their own hands what the Bush Administration has been postponing for years--updating the National Hardiness Zone maps.
Watch an animation from this decidedly non-political organization. As they noted in their press release:
The new [2006 arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map] reflects that many areas have become warmer since 1990 when the last USDA hardiness zone map was published. Significant portions of many states have shifted at least one full hardiness zone. Much of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, for example, have shifted from Zone 5 to a warmer Zone 6. Some areas around the country have even warmed two full zones.
The new 2006 arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map is consistent with the consensus of climate scientists that global warming is underway. Tree planting is among the positive actions that people can take to reverse the trend.
"The Arbor Day Foundation supports tree planting throughout America," says Foundation President John Rosenow. "Providing the hardiness zone for individual zip codes at arborday.org is an important part of that goal, by giving tree planters the most up-to-date and useable data available."
"Of course existing trees should continue to be cared for," said Woody Nelson from the Arbor Day Foundation. "Certain species may be more vulnerable to stress with the current warmer climate, but they will continue to provide environmental and economic benefits as they grow. It's just a good idea to consider more tree species diversity for the future."
As an aside... why is a non-profit organization forced to do the work of a government agency? Could the Bush administration possibly be keeping the USDA from publishing something as basic as a hardiness zone map just because it reflects the reality of a global climate crisis?
What are we going to do about it?
There are some people who seem content to stick their head in the sand. Take my representative in Congress (please!). Here's what Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV-02) had to say in an April 5, 2007 letter to a constituent (emphasis mine):
As you know, there is much debate about the existence, causes, and future extent of climate change, and what steps, if any, society should take in response.
Yes, there is debate among reasonable people about what steps to take. No, there is not debate among reasonable people if we need to take steps. The planet has a fever. Every day we are making the fever worse. The status quo is unsustainable.
Take Action
Read on for three simple action items today. |
