Photo: Black duck (Credit Scott Nielson, USFWS)

A Changing Pennsylvania

According to the National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife in a Warming World report, climate change is the biggest single threat to wildlife this century, and is already transforming our landscapes across America.  

Rising global temperatures will wreak havoc on Pennsylvania‘s fish and wildlife resources. More frequent heavy precipitation events, coupled with extreme heat waves could decimate Pennsylvania fish populations, including brook trout, and make conditions far more favorable for ticks, the wooly adelgid, West Nile virus and other noxious insect pests.

Extreme summertime temperatures will continue to adversely affect Pennsylvania’s world-class smallmouth bass streams rivers, while creating conditions unfavorable for ruffed grouse, which are already on the decline.

If we don’t act now, the expected changes in the earth’s climate will directly threaten Pennsylvania’s treasured fishing and hunting traditions.

Attend an Event in York, PA

If you live near York, Pennsylvania, join us Wednesday, March 27 at 3:00 pm for a roundtable discussion about the impacts of a warming planet on wildlife and natural resources in Pennsylvania and what we can do about it. 

Come listen to experts discuss the science behind climate change and what impacts are already noticeable around the world; the impacts of climate change on moose, smallmouth bass, and many other wildlife species; how climate change is making conditions more favorable for insect pests to survive the winter; how bird migration patterns are changing; and what the Obama administration is doing to reduce carbon pollution.

RSVP via email today

Roundtable Details

WHAT: “Bugs, Critters, and Plants: At Risk in a Warming World” Roundtable discussion about the impacts of a warming planet on natural resources

WHERE:  Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York, 925 South George St., York, PA [map]

WHEN:  March 27, 2013, 3:00pm 

Speakers include:

• Dr. Keith Peterman, Professor of Chemistry, Physical Sciences Department, York College of Pennsylvania

• Tom Smith, West Nile Virus Program Administrator, Penn State Cooperative Extension Service

• Paul Zeph, Director of Conservation at Audubon Pennsylvania

• Ed Perry, Pennsylvania Outreach Consultant, National Wildlife Federation

RSVP via email today 

Can’t make it?  You can still play an important role in climate action by telling President Obama that you support cutting carbon pollution now.

Loggerhead sea turtle. Photo by Damien du Toit.

Sea turtles are some of the oldest living creatures on earth, with fossils dating back more than 110 million years. These air-breathing reptiles are incredibly adapted to marine living, and throughout their long life (green sea turtles have an expected lifespan of 80 to 100 years or more!), they migrate long distances between feeding and nesting sites.

Close Encounters of the Turtle Kind

I have been fortunate enough to have had multiple encounters with this amazing animal. My first memorable sea turtle experience was when I was 17, scuba diving a reef 40 feet deep in the Caribbean Sea. I had just come to the edge of the reef when a hawksbill turtle swam up from below me. As I drifted alongside the graceful animal for a few minutes, there was a moment when we made eye contact- a moment imprinted in my mind ever since.

Last year I had the opportunity to work with sea turtles at Mote Marine Laboratory, a research and rehabilitation aquarium in Florida. I was thrilled to feed the recovering turtles, clean their tanks, and even train the resident loggerheads. These tasks were not as meaningful, however, as my experience participating in the release of Cowboy, a loggerhead that recovered after sustaining injuries from a fishing line entanglement. As I watched Cowboy dive into the sea, I was grateful for the second chance he had at life as a wild animal. At the same time, I couldn’t help but think about the potential threats he will face in the future.

An Uncertain Future

Direct causes of mortality for sea turtles include entanglement in fishing gear and turtle and egg poaching. Their environment is as risk due to marine debris, beach habitat degradation, oil spills, and harmful fishing practices. And now, sea turtles are greatly threatened by climate change.

Releasing Cowboy back to the Gulf. Photo by Aliya Rubinstein.

Warming air and ground temperatures can result in fewer eggs that produce male sea turtle hatchlings, so whole populations could end up being comprised entirely of females. Climate change also has the potential to drastically damage coral systems — which are important feeding areas for turtles — due to rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification.

A Symbol of Persistence

The sea turtle is a common symbol of longevity, strength, and persistence: are we willing to let these incredible animals disappear when we have the power to take action on climate change?

On St. Patrick’s Day, do what you can to protect the future for sea turtles and add a little more “green” to your wardrobe.

 Urge President Obama to announce strong plans to limit carbon pollution>>