Minneapolis
Marathon 2009
May 31, 2009
Climate Change and Minnesota
Climate Change may seem at first glance to be a boon to
Minnesota: What's wrong with the temperature staying a few degrees warmer,
especially during a February cold snap? Indeed, we have determined that human
activities are major contributors to the warming global climate, primarily
through our emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. But what
should motivate Minnesotans to act in favor of keeping our climate the way it
is?
In addition to the much-touted melting of polar ice caps which will cause
flooding of coastal areas, climate change will also cause disruptions in
landlocked areas such as the Upper Midwest. Warmer temperatures and
unpredictable weather patterns will affect our agriculture and our forests -
mainstays of Minnesota economy and quality of life. As the changing climate
opens up opportunities for new pests to move in where they previously could not
before, forests will be stressed and unforeseen diseases in animals and humans
may come on the scene. Prairie and forest plants, pollinators, migrating birds,
fish, and mammals will also be affected in unpredictable ways.
Coal-burning power plants and fossil-fuel-burning vehicles are the largest
sources of carbon dioxide pollution in the United States. These two areas are
the focus of many City initiatives.
Tree Canopy
Our urban forest cleans the air, shelters wildlife, catches water runoff, cools
our homes and makes our city more beautiful. The tree canopy, as measured in
2004, covers 26 percent of the city, with more than 979,000 trees.
Insects, disease and increasing construction are taking a toll on our trees,
decreasing our urban tree canopy. Dutch elm disease continues to take its toll
on our trees - especially after mild winters. Another impending threat is the
emerald ash borer. Since its discovery in Detroit in 2002, this insect has
devastated ash trees in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio
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