Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/tag/climate-change/page/11/)
Drastic ice loss on the Great Lakes over the past 40 years could have a negative impact on them. Less ice can cause lower water levels, shoreline erosion, more snow and an increase in water temperature.
Climate change is continuing to influence Michigan’s environment. Last March a sudden thaw and freeze devastated the state’s berry crops. While recently, record low water levels have forced the government to spend millions on dredging. Jeff Andresen, Michigan Climatologist and assistant professor of geography at Michigan State University discusses Michigan’s climate future.
Last year’s tart cherry loss has inspired a flurry of activity to explore federal crop insurance to protect Michigan growers.
The Globe Elevator is a piece of Great Lakes history and a source of old growth Eastern white pine. Wisconsin Woodchuck hopes to preserve both, claiming that destroying the elevator would have environmental consequences.
Climate change affects the economy in a variety of ways.
It’s tough on winter festivals.
But operating on thin ice is good for at least one business.
Gov. Rick Snyder cited concerns about the impact of a changing climate and increasing demand for water.
Environmental groups are broadly supportive of the move.
Michigan has 10 million acres of farmland, but only 10 percent is in the north.
State farm officials say there is more opportunity and a trend of more acres being farmed in those regions.
This week Echo reporters asked the public and an expert to explain greenhouse gas.
Michigan’s chestnut growers are facing the same problems other fruit growers confront this year.
The early surge of temperatures in March and the inevitable cold weather in April and May curtailed nut production, just as it did for apples and cherries.
Have the Great Lakes seemed a little less chilly in the past few years? It’s probably because the Great Lakes, like 95 percent of the world’s lakes, are warming. According to National Geographic, researchers from all over are trying to understand the repercussions of increasing lake temperatures. The Global Lake Temperature Collaboration is a network of researchers, including Great Lakes scientists, collecting data about lakes worldwide. The groups first meeting this summer allowed participants to share, analyze and compile findings.