The Mirror

The student-run newspaper of Northwood School in Lake Placid.

by: Richard SzekelyPosted on:

Unusually Warm November Weather

On Nov. 4, temperatures in Lake Placid climbed into the low 70s, approximately 25 degrees above the average high for that date. Northwood’s soccer players trained outside in short sleeves under sunny skies—an unusual scene for November in the Adirondacks.

Northwood Science Department teacher, Ms. Marcy Fagan, said changing temperatures can affect the Adirondack environment, its residents and its wildlife.

“Sometimes there are forest fires here in Lake Placid where there usually weren’t,” Fagan said.

Because forests cover much of the Adirondack Park, dry conditions and wildfires can threaten vegetation, wildlife and homes. However, one unusually warm day alone cannot be attributed directly to climate change. Scientists examine long-term patterns when determining how the climate is changing.

Fagan also discussed the effects that warmer temperatures may have on ticks.

“Ticks moving in and affecting dogs,” Fagan said.

Climate change has extended the active season and geographic range of some tick species, increasing opportunities for human and animal exposure.

Fagan also discussed the risks winter ticks can present to moose in colder regions. Winter ticks feed on a moose’s blood and can weaken the animal. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reports that winter ticks have become a significant cause of moose deaths in some states, although they have not yet been documented on moose in New York.

The effects of climate change are not limited to the Adirondacks. Andrea Opra, who lives in Mureș County, Romania, works for the Mureș County Directorate for the Environment.

“The problem is that the poorer the country, they have lesser resources and funding to make efficient environmental protection,” Opra said.

Opra said living in one place for an extended period can allow residents to observe environmental changes directly.

“If you live in the same geographic area for a longer period, you can observe the climate change at first hand,” Opra said.

“I live in the same area from my childhood, and I saw the effects of climate change at first hand in our area,” she added. “The rivers are drying out; we have hotter summers than we had 10-20 years ago. We have a big problem with deforestation.”

New York has also experienced long-term warming. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, winters are becoming warmer, with less snowfall, reduced snow cover and earlier spring snowmelt.

The experiences described by Fagan and Opra show how climate change can affect communities in different parts of the world. Addressing those effects will require people, governments and organizations to consider how their decisions affect the environment and what actions they can take to reduce future harm.

The Northwood Mirror

The student-run newspaper of Northwood School in Lake Placid

Real World

Unusually Warm November Weather

Local and international perspectives illustrate how changing temperatures affect communities and wildlife

By Richard Szekely

Listen Read this article aloud

On Nov. 4, temperatures in Lake Placid climbed into the low 70s, approximately 25 degrees above the average high for that date. Northwood’s soccer players trained outside in short sleeves under sunny skies—an unusual scene for November in the Adirondacks.

Northwood Science Department teacher, Ms. Marcy Fagan, said changing temperatures can affect the Adirondack environment, its residents and its wildlife.

“Sometimes there are forest fires here in Lake Placid where there usually weren’t,” Fagan said.

Because forests cover much of the Adirondack Park, dry conditions and wildfires can threaten vegetation, wildlife and homes. However, one unusually warm day alone cannot be attributed directly to climate change. Scientists examine long-term patterns when determining how the climate is changing.

Fagan also discussed the effects that warmer temperatures may have on ticks.

“Ticks moving in and affecting dogs,” Fagan said.

Climate change has extended the active season and geographic range of some tick species, increasing opportunities for human and animal exposure.

Fagan also discussed the risks winter ticks can present to moose in colder regions. Winter ticks feed on a moose’s blood and can weaken the animal. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reports that winter ticks have become a significant cause of moose deaths in some states, although they have not yet been documented on moose in New York.

The effects of climate change are not limited to the Adirondacks. Andrea Opra, who lives in Mureș County, Romania, works for the Mureș County Directorate for the Environment.

“The problem is that the poorer the country, they have lesser resources and funding to make efficient environmental protection,” Opra said.

Opra said living in one place for an extended period can allow residents to observe environmental changes directly.

“If you live in the same geographic area for a longer period, you can observe the climate change at first hand,” Opra said.

“I live in the same area from my childhood, and I saw the effects of climate change at first hand in our area,” she added. “The rivers are drying out; we have hotter summers than we had 10-20 years ago. We have a big problem with deforestation.”

New York has also experienced long-term warming. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, winters are becoming warmer, with less snowfall, reduced snow cover and earlier spring snowmelt.

The experiences described by Fagan and Opra show how climate change can affect communities in different parts of the world. Addressing those effects will require people, governments and organizations to consider how their decisions affect the environment and what actions they can take to reduce future harm.