Vermont's maple-syrup industry braces for climate change
Will warmer winters stop the flow of Vermont maple syrup? That's the question of the day in the Green Mountain State, where folks worry that climate change will make the $200 million industry -- which provides 32 percent of U.S. syrup output -- dry up. "I've always been, 'Oh, global warming, I don't know about that,'" said syrup-maker Doug Rose. "But now I do think we need to start thinking about it, because ... we're seeing production go down, we really are." Some tree-tappers report that the season now starts in January instead of March, and a recent study by the University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center (sweet!) showed that the month-long season has shrunk by about three days over the last 40 years. And since the best syrup comes from warm days followed by below-freezing nights, temperatures play a key role. A hit to the tradition would hurt not only pocketbooks, but pride. "It's like a religion, maple syrup," said one worried observer. "It's the heart and soul of Vermont."
Ref:Burlington Free Press, Candace Page, 24 Mar 2007, ABC News, Bob Jamieson, 24 Mar 2007
I'm Hot, Sticky Sweet
By sara315 - Posted on March 27th, 2007
Tagged: Environment
• Better future
That is really sad. But everyone should know that global warming isn't just the result of pollution and human activity. A very large part of it is just the natural cycle of the Earth. Yes, it is greatly increased by the harmful fuel emmissions and pollution that is happening more and more frequently. But global warming will happen whether we stop polluting or not. Just know that we as humans should adapt to the Earth and not the other way around. It is not all about our life styles and comfortability. It is about the Earth. It was here long before us and will continue on long after our race has been extinguished.
The Earth's Always Helpful Activist,
Amanda Fugate
Hey, I really appreciate your comment.
So many people nowadays become rabid animals when I dare mention the idea that we may not be entirely to blame for this Global Warming thing. It's refreshing to find someone who thinks it's a good thing to reduce emissions (because it is) but doesn't drip foam on you.
And if anybody hasn't seen "An Inconvenient Truth" with Al Gore, I really must recommend it to you, not for any scientific value it holds, but because it is a great example of politician-manipulation at its best. I was awestruck by Gore's masterful presentation, carefully woven with stories of his family and friends for the always necessary heartstring tug. It gets you right here! (I am motioning to my heart area as I type.)
Bravo, Al!
Cheers!
27 Tusedays
I used to live in Upstate NY where we make syrup as well, good luck to all the companies!
Unplug stuff when you aren't home and turn off the computer when your not on it.
Buy different energy saving products like light bulbs to frigerators :O)
few easy steps to help save us from global warming
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