The Christmas tree we all know and love may be in trouble of becoming extinct. The Pine Bark Beetle, which feeds on and kills pine trees, used to be held in control by cold winter temperatures. Now the species is thriving and killing off entire forests in British Columbia, unchecked. The beetle thrives in a warmer climate and without the colder temperatures to control the population; the beetle is free to destroy the pine trees. However, pine trees all over the country will suffer from a warmer climate. According to Dr. Bill Schlesinger of Duke University, if we do nothing to slow the emissions of global warming pollutants that come primarily from energy use in vehicles, businesses and homes, the average temperature in North Carolina is expected to increase by about four degrees Fahrenheit in this century. This is an addition to the one-degree it warmed in the past century. North Carolina provides many types of Christmas trees such as different firs and spruces. Although there are lots of different of trees to buy for one’s Christmas tree, the Fraser firs are the original “Christmas Trees.” Unfortunately the Fraser firs prefer to grow in cool and moist mountainous areas. A significant warming climate may not make it possible for Fraser firs to grow. The Christmas tree industry may be limited to the higher peaks with cooler temperatures for growing the trees. Warmer climates mean less area to grow these trees. All kinds of Christmas trees require cool weather, and a warming climate is not a good thing for these trees.
http://www.sustainer.org/?page_id=738
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/connelly/article/Deniers-of-global-warming-harm-us-1243264.php
No comments:
Post a Comment