Climate change’s dramatic effect on the Killington Valley and beyond

By Susan Durant

On average Vermont is getting warmer. Ponds and lakes are frozen for shorter periods of time, and there is less natural snow. This is bad news for skiers, ice fishermen, snowmobilers, and the local businesses that support them. The impact of climate change are also felt by swings of erratic weather year to year. The winters of 2015 and 2016 quickly come to mind as recent examples of dramatic swings in winter seasons.

Alan Betts of Atmospheric Research in Pittsford, Vt. studied Vermont temperature records from 1960 to present. The minimum temperature in an average January in Burlington, Vt, used to average -20°F; but for the first time this past January it never went below 0°F, said Betts. He found the average winter temperature in Vermont rose 4.5°F and average summer temperature rose 2°F over the past 50 years.

Betts used three indicators to show the impact of warming temperatures. First, the freeze period for frost-sensitive plants had become shorter. In the past forty years the growing season for frost-sensitive plants increased by two weeks. Second, on average small lakes are frozen 4 weeks less than 40 years ago. There has been a large variation between warmer winters with little snow and colder snowy winters. Third, the first leaf of Vermont lilacs, an indicator of early spring, came 3 days each decade. That means the growing season for frost sensitive plants increased by two weeks, and for frost hardy plants up to 4 weeks. Betts, said, there are more stagnant weather patterns or jet streams resulting in weather extremes like severe droughts, flooding, and temperature swings. He he also said, precipitation increased 71% in the northeast over the past 50 years, mostly from more frequent and intense storms. Betts said models predicts this trend will continue to get worse if we don’t decrease the burning of fossil fuels.

The effect of burning fossil fuels increases the CO2 (a greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere, and increases surface warming, said Betts. He explained, this effect by itself is small, but it is intensified by the following two amplifying feedbacks. Water vapor is a powerful greenhouse gas, and the increase of water vapor with warmer temperatures increases seasonal warming. The second is caused by the decrease of snow cover with warmer winters. Snow reflects sunlight to keep temperatures cooler and without the snow cover the ground absorbs more of the heat from the sun, which also leads to more seasonal warming.

When asked what can the community do to change course, Betts said; “Look at our relationship to the earth, to our waste streams, to our way of life, and ask if it is consistent with our values?... We can make choices to work with the earth and natural systems.” He suggested using more efficient and/or renewable energy sources for our houses and cars, and initiating a Transition Town Movement. Betts also pointed to China’s success in the past few years to reduce their carbon emissions by moving away from fossil fuel and becoming a world leader in transitioning to renewable energy. He points out the Chinese government changed after the citizens demonstrated to demand it. Betts will be giving an Earth Day talk at the Rutland Free Library, 11am and Pawlet Energy Fair, Town Hall, Pawlet, 2pm.

Locally Killington Ski Resort received the following awards for their green efforts: Vermont Ski Areas Association 2014 Green Mountain Award for Environmental Excellence as the Greenest Overall Resort in Vermont. National Ski Area Association Golden Eagle Award in 2013 in recognition of the Cow Power Program. In 2008 and 2013, Powdr Corp., Killington's parent company received recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency for their green power purchasing. Nationally, Vermont Senators Sanders and Leahy along with Congressman Welch are staunch environmental advocates in Washington.

On April 29, 2017 the People’s Climate March will take place in Washington DC, along with sister marches around the world, to stand up for our communities and climate. If you would like to participate 350Vermont is coordinating busses to the March in D.C., or you can attend a sister March in Montpelier organized by a diverse coalition of environmental, justice equality, and Faith groups. Contact: Robb.Kidd@sierraclub.org for more information.