Warming Climate, Decreasing Snowcaps

There is no question about it, the snowcaps of the Cascade Mountain Range are in danger. Far above sea level a danger lurks, if you are snow. A warming climate is responsible for the decrease in t he volume of snow all through out Washington and Oregon. At first there were skeptics, but after careful measurements were taken there was no question that there was shrinkage. As Mr. Cosela said, one degree Celsius warmer could mean 20% of the snow gone. It is hard to measure the amount of snow exactly because it is always changing. For example, the amount of snow in 1944 versus 1950 is so drastic it curves charts today. It is also shown that while El Nino occurs there is lower snowfall while La Nina occurs there is higher snowfall. While there will not be a lack of precipitation, there will be a lack of snow, much more of the precipitation will far more in the form of rain. now.

This has the chance to be one of the biggest impacting stories in the Pacific Northwest. This has the potential to be one of the biggest blows to tourism since Mt. St. Helens blew her top. With less snow, there is less space to ski; with less skiing no one will want to visit the Cascades’. When no one wants to visit the Cascades the revenue for Oregon and Washington will go down, forcing them to merge into a single state known as Washoregon.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512153335.htm

"Warming Climate Is Affecting Cascades Snowpack In Pacific Northwest." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 15 May 2009. 18 May 2009 .

Green on Green

The Agricultural Research Service owns and operates a 446 acre arboretum, which is used to make better trees. Just recently this arboretum installed a solar panel that controls the irrigation. This single solar panel system is part of a larger plan to make the whole ARS run on solar energy. Later projects include larger solar panels that will provide energy for the gift shops and restrooms. As of now there are a total of six solar panels that collect the suns energy, move it to a battery where it is then converted into electricity to control the irrigation. The solar panels were actually installed because they are cheaper than traditional wiring. If the arboretum were to have cables for power, the source would be over half a mile away. Using solar panels is actually much cheaper and will help with the arboretum’s budget. All of this comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture calling for more green technology on agricultural facilities. The current system took only a year to complete and has created a pathway for others to follow. Farmers can install green energy for little things or big things, from water fountains to irrigation systems.

This definitely has a great impact on the rest of America. If every farm that used electric irrigation started to use solar energy, the solar panel business would skyrocket. Soon, with all the income the business is getting, they will be experimenting with new methods to use solar energy. Eventually the common car will be replaced with solar cars and houses will be powered by solar energy. This is how one arboretum going green can change the world.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090502083917.htm

"Solar-Powered Irrigation System Unveiled At U.S. National Arboretum." Science Daily. 2 May 2009. 03 May 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090502083917.htm.