Have you noticed the unseasonably warm weather this fall? If so, you are not alone. This autumn has been especially warm, according to both locals and visitors alike.
Past data shows that a typical Connecticut autumn has temperatures at an average of the low 50s. However, students have noticed that this year, temperatures has fluctuated day to day. “I have lived in Connecticut my whole life. This winter seems warmer then past winters. I believe the weather is abnormal because one week is snowing and the next it’s 70-80°F,” Elana Rothberg ’19 commented.
“I am from Boston, Massachusetts, and I’ve been at Choate for three months. The weather doesn’t seem different to me. The weather was abnormally warm both last and this year because in February it was still 60°F outside,” said Aidan Marzeotti ’20.
More students are discussing climate change after President-Elect Mr. Donald Trump’s victory. HPRSS teacher Ms. Courtney Destefano remarked, “Election Day was a few days ago, and so the climate is a topic of concern for a lot of people, given that our President-Elect wants to withdraw a Paris treaty. So I think students are worried about the future and the decisions that will be made about climate conservation.” (Mr. Trump has recently chosen climate change skeptic Mr. Myron Ebell to lead the Environmental Protection Agency transition team.)
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, global warming is predicted to have a strong effect on New England autumns. Between 1985 and 2011, average temperatures have risen 2°F.
Although the number might seem small, this has a huge impact on the climate. For example, this temperature increase has caused more frequent heat waves in the Northeast. These heatwaves are predicted to threaten human health conditions through air pollution, specifically those living in urban areas and those who live without air conditioning systems.
Additionally, global warming has serious regional consequences for the New England fishery, agricultural, and tourism industries. Sea levels are rising and frequent, heavy rains will increase flooding, which can damage coastal cities and fisheries. Coldwater fish such as trout and cod have started to migrate to colder regions as it is hard for them to survive in warm, shallow water. The agriculture industry could start facing reduced yields, damaging the economy and the livelihoods of those who depend on the industry. Furthermore, as temperatures rise, more rain will fall down instead of snow, and the snow that does fall will melt more quickly. The reduced snowfall will result in fewer skiers visiting resorts in the Northeast. Resorts will also have to start producing more artificial snow, which takes up a lot of energy, water power, and money.
Global warming can be traced back centuries. Since the late 1700s, people have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by 40%. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide have been affecting the atmosphere and climate specifically in the past 50 years.
Marzeotti stressed the importance of discussing climate change. He added, “It is sad that the global warming is happening, but it doesn’t seem to affect the mood around campus that much.”
