People may be wondering why we haven't been getting any snow and the answer is climate change. Major causes include deforestation, changes in land-use and most of all the greenhouse effect. People are ignorant to the fact that everyday they add to the increase of CO2 pollution, which is the primary greenhouse gas contributing to global warming according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Temperatures have changed drastically over the years due to global warming. In fact, ten years ago the max and min temperatures for December were 60 °F and 6°F.
Based off the temperature chart for December 2014, the lowest temperature was 18°F which is 12 degrees higher than that of 2004. Researchers of NECIA found that "since 1970, the Northeast has been warming at a rate of nearly .5°F per decade, with winter temperatures rising faster, at a rate of 1.3°F per decade from 1970 to 2000, all changes consistent with those expected to be caused by global warming."
This increase in heat has also caused more rain than snow. We've had 5.5 inches of rain and less than .5 inches of snow this December. The New England Aquarium claims that "it is winter precipitation that is rising fastest, with more precipitation expected to fall as rain rather than snow."
If you are not impressed by the statistics and facts, then take this into consideration: the New England Climate Coalition believes that increasing temperatures "could affect New England’s brilliant fall colors as trees migrate north
or die out, and maple syrup production may be jeopardized because sap
flow depends on freezing nights and warm days". Not only that but the ski industry will be threatened due to the lack of snowfall and the inability to produce artificial snow, as it needs a temperature of 28°F or less to be made.
So if you're "dreaming of a white Christmas", and are expecting to see fluffy flakes fall from the sky on Christmas morning, then either start an environmental revolution, or maybe Santa will bring you an eco-friendly car. Merry Christmas to you!
Sources: http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KBOS/2014/12/1/MonthlyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA&MR=1
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/causes.html
http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/climate_change/climate_change_in_new_england.php#extreme
Sources: http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KBOS/2014/12/1/MonthlyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA&MR=1
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/causes.html
http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/climate_change/climate_change_in_new_england.php#extreme
Hi Hope! I thought this piece was very interesting. I have heard of climate change and global warming many times before but have never really taken its effects into consideration. I usually will just put it past me and move on thinking that it probably will never make a giant impact on my life. Your facts opened my eyes. I did not realize how much warmer our winters have been or how much more rain we have been receiving. When you mentioned the ski industry one day coming to an end that really hit me hard as I go skiing all the time in the winter and could not imagine that ending. As for your writing I thought it was engaging. Your first paragraph is very relatable and does a good job at introducing your topic. I also liked your last paragraph too. It was very bold and sarcastic and made me laugh. In the first paragraph after “For some” I think you should have inserted a comma. Also some sentences seemed a little too lengthy and wordy and maybe could have been divided into two sentences or shortened. Otherwise I thought it was good and I enjoyed reading it!
ReplyDelete-Greta Freking
Hope, I think your post is very strong. You write well and use clear, empirical evidence to support your argument. You even expand your audience by synthesizing objective, scientific evidence with some appropriate rhetorical flourish (i.e. your introduction and the references to the things that we all love about New England). Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteMy only advice, and you would be wise on the AP exam to take it, would be to offer a counterargument. I am 35 years old, and have spent 30 Christmases in eastern Massachusetts. I cannot remember a single white Christmas. True. In addition, in both of the last two school years, we have a total of 10 snow days! On a personal level, I believe your argument. I wish we focused more on the detrimental effects of climate change. However, on an intellectual level, you need to do more to address those who will use very simple facts to disagree with you.
Regardless, good job.