The Union of Concerned Scientists is an independent nonprofit alliance of scientists concerned about our well being. Founded in 1969 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, they are currently headquartered in Cambridge on Harvard Square. Their Board of Directors is filled with academics from prestigious institutions and they accept funding if you want to give them money. To demonstrate their concern, they put together an overview of Climate Change Dangers for Wisconsin. Please consider the top 10 threats to our State.
10. Climate change is bad for cows.
10. Climate change is bad for cows.
"High temperatures suppress appetite and decrease weight gain in livestock while warmer winters and less snow cover are predicted to reduce the quantity and quality of spring forage, and thus, milk quality.”9. Lower morbidity and mortality rates at late season Packer home games.
“Cold-related health risks are likely to decline over time, as the frequency of extreme cold weather periods during winter decreases.”8. The same amount of rain may produce a drier climate because the atmosphere won’t be able to rain out the increased amout of water that evaporates. … Well, maybe I’m too ignorant to understand the complex dynamics of this danger.
“Although average annual precipitation may not change much, an overall drier climate is expected because rainfall cannot compensate for the increase in evaporation resulting from greater temperatures.”7. Wisconsin could grow more corn and beans.
“The growing season could be 4-7 weeks longer.”6. More native birds!!!
“Greater resident bird populations, however, could increase competition for food and resources available for migratory songbirds and making it difficult for them to survive.”5. Stupid small farmers won’t be able to adapt as well as big corporations.
“Climate variability will likely pose greater risk for smaller farms and thus may reinforce the trend toward increasing farm size and industrialization of agriculture in the region.”4. Climate change is bad for Moose (and squirrel?)
“Moose, currently near their southern geographic limit, could be negatively affected by warming and increasing numbers of deer-carried parasites.”3. Boats on the water will be closer to sea level.
“As lake levels drop, costs to shipping on the Great Lakes are likely to increase, along with costs of dredging harbors and channels and of adjusting docks, water intake pipes, and other infrastructure.”2. Kites on Ice could become Kites on Slush.
“Thousands of visitors flock to Madison's Kites on Ice Festival traditionally held on Lake Monona. However, trends show a declining duration of ice cover on the lake from 114 days in the 1870's to 82 days in the 1990's. In February of 2002, the festival was moved several miles from its usual location to another part of the lake with safer ice.”1. Wisconsin is becoming a bumpy Illinois.
“In general Wisconsin's climate will grow considerably warmer and probably drier during this century, especially in the summer. As a result of these changes, by 2030 summers in Wisconsin may feel more like current-day Illinois.”
