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Climate Change and Birds
Of Special Note: It is the position of BirdCountry.US that global warming is a real threat to our planet and its millions of forms of life, and that the excessive amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is caused by human activities. Furthermore, we firmly believe that the situation can be corrected. However, we also believe that multiple catastrophic events will occur before the world's business, civic, and political leaders make serious inroads to combat this threat.
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In order for us to be able to conserve birds or any other natural resource in the face of climate change, we must first understand exactly what we are dealing with.
What is Global Warming?
As we all know, the sun's rays warm the Earth. A portion of these rays are re-radiated back into space in the form of infrared radiation. Our atmosphere acts as a blanket to bounce some of these re-radiated infrared waves back toward Earth. This is what makes our planet inhabitable. Through our negligent activities, humans have spewed so much global warming pollution into our atmosphere that we have, in fact, increased the thickness of that blanket, and more of the infrared waves that should be escaping back into space are being trapped within our atmosphere, thus increasing the average temperature on Earth. This is the basic science behind global warming.
Climate Change vs. Global Warming
Many people use the terms "global warming" and "climate change" interchangeably. They are, in fact, not the same thing. Climate change is an effect of global warming. An increase in the average global temperature of 3 - 5 degrees, does not mean that Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Chicago, and Nome, Alaska will all experience an average increase of 3 - 5 degrees in temperature. What will happen is more akin to a 1 or 2 degree increase in the tropics and a 12 - 15 degree increase in the polar regions. This is what will cause climate change.
A series of ocean and air currents around the globe are what drive weather patterns in all parts of the world. As temperature changes occur, these weather patterns are disrupted and new ones form. But since the temperature continues to climb, these weather patterns continue to change. The result is constantly changing weather patterns that will make some places hotter, some colder. Some places will become wetter, while others turn drier. This is what we are speaking of when we talk about "climate change."
Changing Weather Changes Habitats
The National Arbor Day Foundation recently released new Hardiness Zone maps that show how our climate has already changed. They have already seen changes in how certain plants grow in certain regions. The most noticeable thing on these maps is the fact that all hardiness zones have moved northward or higher in altitude.
Look at the maps above at your area of the country and see if any changes have occurred. Chances are that they have. Look, for instance, at Indiana. About two-thirds of the state used to be in Zone 5. Virtually the entire state in now in Zone 6. Arizona now has almost no area in the state that is Zone 6. It is now Zones 7, 8, and 9. Zone 3 is nearly gone from the Lower 48 states. If these changes are already occurring in the tree life of the country, does it not follow that changes are also occurring in other plant life? And we all know how much birds are dependent on plants in their many forms to create the habitat suitable for each species. The question then becomes, for us as avian conservationists, can the birds keep up with the constant changes that the future brings? There is no doubt that some highly adaptable birds will have little to no problem keeping up with the changes. But there are others that have strict habitat needs, and, therefore, little chance of surviving.
That's just one little bit of evidence of changes in the wind. Here is what the Indiana Audubon Society noted in the Indiana Audubon Quarterly, February 2007 edition:
"Indiana hosted a surprising number of rarities during the winter season. Many of these sightings correspond with the increasing continent-wide trend for southern birds to remain north of their traditional wintering grounds. These sightings included a Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks in northern Indiana, single inland Surf and White-winged Scoters, Indiana's first documented winter record of Osprey, half a dozen Merlins, a Prairie Falcon, a Virginia Rail, Indiana's first winter record of Sora in 106 years, a Baird's Sandpiper, one or more Purple Sandpipers, n.e. Indiana's first Feb. record of Bonaparte's Gull, one or more California Gulls, a record high number of Eurasian Collared-Doves, at least 5 Rufous Hummingbirds, Indiana's first overwintering Selasphorus hummingbird, a Loggerhead Shrike, Indiana's first winter record of Blue-headed Vireo, a duo of Tree Swallows, and a lingering Townsend's Solitaire."
The evidence for climate change and its effects on birds continues to pile up. It's now to the point that to ignore it would be irresponsible on our part as conservationists.
Birds at Risk
It seems that the birds with the most stringent habitat requirements will be the ones that are most affected by climate change. Take the Kirtland's Warbler, for instance. Kirtland's warblers are some of the most endangered birds in the country. They require young jack-pine forests and are found in only one area of the continental US--the northern-lower portion of Michigan. This area has already changed from Hardiness Zones of 3 and 4 to Hardiness Zone 5. Zone 6 is knocking on the door of that region right now. How will the jack-pine forests adapt to the changing weather patterns in that region? And will the Kirtland's Warbler be able to adapt as well?
There are many other species that face similar challenges in the years ahead. Look at birds that have limited distribution in your own area. Are some of them already declining in numbers? How about other birds that seem to be increasing in your area? Are they moving up from the south? Have you noticed any birds wintering in your area that usually winter much farther to the south? Chances are you have. And what about the nesting season itself? Are birds arriving earlier on the breeding grounds, or leaving later on their fall migration? You are probably seeing changes there as well.
Changing Migration Patterns
We are all familiar with the four major migratory flyways found in the continental US. We know that plant life is changing all along these flyways. If the plant life changes, then the insect life dependent on those plants is probably changing as well. Remember that insects have the ability to adapt to changing conditions much faster than birds can. What will this do to the birds? Many birders, especially in the eastern US, consider the wood warblers among some of their favorite birds to watch. Many of these warblers are dependent upon the insect life, not only on the wintering and breeding grounds, but along the migratory pathway as well. What is going to happen to these species as climate change becomes more and more a factor in their lives?
So far, we have spent most of our time looking at the effects on birds based on the availability of plant life in their regions. What about water supplies? We are already seeing changes around the country in weather patterns that are affecting water supplies. IN 2007 we saw a lot of flooding in the south-central region of the country, while the southeast continues to bake under severe drought conditions. It is easy to see that this will have effects on wading birds, waterfowl, and a host of other species that require the lakes, rivers, and wetland areas of the country, not only for breeding and wintering habitat, but stopover sites along the migratory path. There is really no way that these changes cannot have effects, sometimes drastic effects, on numerous species all across the country.
What Can Birders Do?
We all know what we have to do in terms of changing our energy consumption habits, whether it be using CFL bulbs to light our homes and businesses, to driving less, or driving more fuel-efficient vehicles, to purchasing carbon offsets, and the list goes on and on. But what should we as birders be doing to help conservation efforts during this very uncertain future for birds? In the simplest terms, document, document, document--everything.
How many times have you gone birding and listed the various species that you saw on that outing? Many go on to even list the numbers of each species they encountered. This is exactly what we need to have happen. But, for many who are already listing and counting, the end of their reports often sound something like this: "plus the usual congregation of chickadees, titmice, juncos, and nuthatches." In many cases, we have become desensitized to these abundant species, so much so that we don't even bother counting them anymore. We at BirdCountry.US believe that this can cause major problems even in the near future. We have made the mistake in the past of not recognizing a problem until it gets to a critical condition. Let's all hope that our doctors don't get into the same habit. Let's all make sure that we don't become the cause of problems tomorrow because of our lackadaisical, albeit unintentional, attitudes today. But don't just document numbers. We need to be able to recognize changes much more quickly if we are to be effective avian conservationists in the future.
One of the inherent problems of just listing and counting
birds is the fact that it only gives you a snapshot of what is happening at a
particular time in a particular place. We need to have more information than
that in order to be effective conservationists. Suppose you have Carolina
Chickadees nesting in your yard. You've had them there every year for as long as
you can remember, but through your listing and counting activities, you've
noticed that you used to have ten
or more
coming to your feeders in the fall, but now there are never more than six. The
first question you might ask is, "Are there fewer nests in the area now?" Or,
you might ask. "Are they producing less young than in past years?" Or, "Is it
simply a fact that more of my neighbors are providing food so the birds are
spread out over a larger area?" Determining the answers to these and other
questions may give us some insight to a problem before the problem becomes so
widespread that a solution cannot be found.
The opposite may also be true. Are those Carolina Chickadees more abundant now than in the past? If any bird's numbers are increasing, it is just as important for us to know why that is happening as why their numbers are decreasing. If we know the optimal conditions for the successful breeding, wintering, and migratory needs of birds, we may find the answer we need as to how we can save a species if their numbers should decline in the future.
How Should I Document My Observations?
There are, of course, many ways that observations can be documented. Almost every state in the Union has a Bird Records Committee, the group of people responsible for the official documentation of birds in your state. Many of their records come from listserves set up to cover a particular state or region within a state. Birders simply send an email to the listserve and the records committee gathers that information into a master database. Some, however, do not maintain records on behavior. Another source for electronic reporting is the eBird database maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This is an excellent depository of bird life across the country and we strongly urge all birders to utilize this free service for the conservation of birds. Numerous other electronic means are available and they vary from state to state. Check with your local chapter of the National Audubon Society or other birding group in your area to see exactly what is available and choose from those options the one that best suit you.
But, let's face reality. Not all birders are electronically savvy. That is really not a problem. In fact, written records may well be the best way to gather the information ornithologists need. BirdCountry.US is currently developing a Birder's Observation Journal that will include entry points for such things as the date and time, blanks for entering the species seen and their numbers, but most importantly, space on each page for writing the details of observations. Of course, there is no reason that you cannot simply take your own notebook and do the same thing. The only real difference is the fact that purchases through the BirdCountry.US e-Store help support and further all of our conservation and educational efforts on behalf of the birds of the continental US.
Finally ...
The bottom line is this: Global warming is real and humans are the cause of it. Humans are also the answer to the problem. The road ahead is not going to be an easy one, but we are up to the task. We have solved global environmental problems before (remember the hole in the ozone?), and we can solve this one, too. But it is going to take the help of everyone, each in their own way, to be successful. We, as birders, are in a unique position in that we can help alleviate the problem by lessening our own energy demands. But we can also contribute to the conservation of other species that are being affected by our wasteful behaviors of the past. Why? It's simple: We are birders and we care.
Jeff Riegel, Director of BirdCountry.US, was among
the first 50 people in the world personally trained and authorized by former
two-term Vice-President of the United States and 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
recipient, Al Gore, to present Gore's
now-famous slide show on global warming. If you would like one of these
presentations to your group, please
email our
Director.
For more information on the global climate crisis, go to Our Partners page and see what other organizations and agencies are doing in this time of an uncertain future for our planet.
Letter from Dr. James Hansen – June 24, 2008
Today I testified to
Congress about global warming, 20 years after my June 23, 1988 testimony, which alerted the public that global
warming was underway. There are striking similarities between then and now, but
one big difference.
Again a wide gap has developed between what is understood about
global warming by the relevant scientific community and what is known by
policymakers and the public. Now, as then, frank assessment of scientific data
yields conclusions that are shocking to the body politic. Now, as then, I can
assert that these conclusions have a certainty exceeding 99 percent.
The difference is that now we have used up all slack in the schedule
for actions needed to defuse the global warming time bomb. The next president
and Congress must define a course next year in which the United States
exerts leadership commensurate with our responsibility for the present dangerous
situation.
Otherwise it will become impractical to constrain atmospheric carbon
dioxide, the greenhouse gas produced in burning fossil fuels, to a level that
prevents the climate system from passing tipping points that lead to disastrous
climate changes that spiral dynamically out of humanity's control.
Changes needed to preserve creation, the planet on which
civilization developed, are clear. But the changes have been blocked by special
interests, focused on short-term profits, who hold sway in Washington
and other capitals.
I argue that a path yielding energy independence and a healthier
environment is, barely, still possible. It requires a transformative change of
direction in Washington in the next year.
On June 23, 1988 I testified to a hearing, organized by Senator Tim Wirth of Colorado, that the
Earth had entered a long-term warming trend and that human-made greenhouse gases
almost surely were responsible. I noted that global warming enhanced both
extremes of the water cycle, meaning stronger droughts and forest fires, on the
one hand, but also heavier rains and floods.
My testimony two decades ago was greeted with skepticism. But while
skepticism is the lifeblood of science, it can confuse the public. As scientists
examine a topic from all perspectives, it may appear that nothing is known with
confidence. But from such broad open-minded study of all data, valid conclusions
can be drawn.
My conclusions in 1988 were built on a wide range of inputs from
basic physics, planetary studies, observations of on-going changes, and climate
models. The evidence was strong enough that I could say it was time to "stop
waffling." I was sure that time would bring the scientific community to a
similar consensus, as it has.
While international recognition of global warming was swift, actions
have faltered. The U.S. refused to place limits on its emissions, and developing
countries such as China and India rapidly increased their emissions.
What is at stake? Warming so far, about two degrees Fahrenheit over
land areas, seems almost innocuous, being less than day-to-day weather
fluctuations. But more warming is already "in the pipeline," delayed only by the
great inertia of the world ocean. And climate is nearing dangerous tipping
points. Elements of a "perfect storm," a global cataclysm, are assembled.
Climate can reach points such that amplifying feedbacks spur large
rapid changes. Arctic sea ice is a current example. Global warming initiated sea
ice melt, exposing darker ocean that absorbs more sunlight, melting more ice. As
a result, without any additional greenhouse gases, the Arctic soon will be ice-free in the summer.
More ominous tipping points loom. West Antarctic and Greenland
ice sheets are vulnerable to even small additional warming. These two-mile-thick
behemoths respond slowly at first, but if disintegration gets well under way, it
will become unstoppable. Debate among scientists is only about how much sea
level would rise by a given date. In my opinion, if emissions follow a
business-as-usual scenario, sea level rise of at least two meters is likely
within a century. Hundreds of millions of people would become refugees, and no
stable shoreline would be reestablished in any time frame that humanity can
conceive.
Animal and plant species are already being stressed by climate
change. Species can migrate in response to movement of their climatic zone, but
some species in polar and alpine regions will be pushed off the planet. As
climate zones move farther and faster, climate change will become the primary
cause of species extinction. The tipping point for life on the planet will occur
when so many interdependent species are lost that
ecosystems collapse.
The shocking conclusion, documented in a paper I have written with
several of the world's leading climate experts, is that the safe level of
atmospheric carbon dioxide is no more than 350 ppm (parts per million), and it
may be less. Carbon dioxide amount is already 385 ppm and rising about 2 ppm per
year. Shocking corollary: the oft-stated goal to keep global warming less than
two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) is a recipe for global disaster,
not salvation.
These conclusions are based on paleoclimate data showing how the
Earth responded to past levels of greenhouse gases and on observations showing
how the world is responding to today's carbon dioxide amount. The consequences
of continued increase of greenhouse gases extend far beyond extermination of
species and future sea level rise.
Arid subtropical climate zones are expanding poleward. Already an
average expansion of about 250 miles has occurred, affecting the southern United
States, the Mediterranean region, Australia and southern Africa. Forest fires and drying-up of lakes will increase
further unless carbon dioxide growth is halted and reversed.
Mountain glaciers are the source of fresh water for hundreds of
millions of
people. These glaciers are receding world-wide, in the Himalayas, Andes and
Rocky Mountains. They will disappear, leaving their rivers as trickles in late
summer and fall, unless the growth of carbon dioxide is reversed.
Coral reefs, the rainforest of the ocean, are home to one-third of
the species in the sea. Coral reefs are under stress for several reasons,
including warming of the ocean, but especially because of ocean acidification, a
direct effect of added carbon dioxide. Ocean life dependent on carbonate shells
and skeletons is threatened by dissolution as the ocean
becomes more acid.
Such phenomena, including the instability of Arctic sea ice and the
great ice sheets at today's carbon dioxide amount, show that we have already
gone too far. We must draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide to preserve the
planet we know. A level of no more than 350 ppm is still feasible, with the help
of reforestation and improved agricultural practices, but just barely – time is
running out.
The steps needed to halt carbon dioxide growth follow from the size
of fossil carbon reservoirs. Coal towers over oil and gas. Phase out of coal use
except where the carbon is captured and stored below ground is the primary
requirement for solving global warming.
Oil is used in vehicles, where it is impractical to capture the
carbon. But oil is running out. To preserve our planet we must also ensure that
the next mobile energy source is not obtained by squeezing oil from coal, tar
shale or other fossil fuels.
Fossil fuel reservoirs are finite, which is the main reason that
prices are rising. We must move beyond fossil fuels eventually. Solution of the
climate problem requires that we move to carbon-free energy promptly.
Special interests have blocked transition to our renewable energy
future. Instead of moving heavily into renewable energies, fossil companies
choose to spread doubt about global warming, as tobacco companies discredited
the smoking-cancer link. Methods are sophisticated, including disguised funding
to shape school textbook discussions.
CEOs of fossil energy companies know what they are doing and are
aware of
long-term consequences of continued business as usual. In my opinion, these CEOs
should be tried for high crimes against humanity and nature. If their campaigns
continue and "succeed" in confusing the public, I anticipate testifying against
relevant CEOs in future public trials.
Conviction of ExxonMobil and Peabody Coal CEOs will be no
consolation, if we
pass on a runaway climate to our children. Humanity would be impoverished by
ravages of continually shifting shorelines and intensification of regional
climate extremes. Loss of countless species would leave a more desolate planet.
If politicians remain at loggerheads, citizens must lead. We must
demand a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants. We must block fossil fuel
interests who aim to squeeze every last drop of oil from public lands,
off-shore, and wilderness areas. Those last drops are no solution. They provide
continued exorbitant profits for a short-sighted self-serving industry, but no
alleviation of our addiction or long-term energy solution.
Moving from fossil fuels to clean energy is challenging, yet
transformative in ways that will be welcomed. Cheap, subsidized fossil fuels
engendered bad habits. We import food from halfway around the world, for
example, even with healthier products available from nearby fields. Local
produce would be competitive if not for fossil fuel subsidies and the fact that
climate change damages and costs, due to fossil fuels, are also borne by the
public.
A price on emissions that cause harm is essential. Yes, a carbon
tax. Carbon tax with 100 percent dividend is needed to wean us off fossil fuel
addiction. Tax and dividend allows the marketplace, not politicians, to make
investment decisions.
Carbon tax on coal, oil and gas is simple, applied at the first
point of sale or port of entry. The entire tax must be returned to the public,
an equal amount to each adult, a half-share for children. This dividend can be
deposited monthly in an individual's bank account.
Carbon tax with 100 percent dividend is non-regressive. On the
contrary, you can bet that low and middle income people will find ways to limit
their carbon tax and come out ahead. Profligate energy users will have to pay
for their excesses.
Demand for low-carbon high-efficiency products will spur innovation,
making our products more competitive on international markets. Carbon emissions
will plummet as energy efficiency and renewable energies grow rapidly. Black
soot, mercury and other fossil fuel emissions will decline. A brighter, cleaner
future, with energy independence, is possible.
Washington likes to spend our tax money line-by-line. Swarms of
high-priced lobbyists in alligator shoes help Congress decide where to spend,
and in turn the lobbyists' clients provide "campaign" money.
The public must send a message to Washington. Preserve our planet, creation, for our
children and grandchildren, but do not use that as an excuse for more
tax-and-spend. Let this be our motto: "One hundred percent dividend or fight! No
more alligator shoes!"
The next president must make a national low-loss electric grid an
imperative. It will allow dispersed renewable energies to supplant fossil fuels
for power generation. Technology exists for direct-current high-voltage buried
transmission lines. Trunk lines can be completed in less than a decade and
expanded analogous to interstate highways.
Government must also change utility regulations so that profits do
not depend on selling ever more energy, but instead increase with efficiency.
Building code and vehicle efficiency requirements must be improved and put on a
path toward carbon neutrality.
The fossil-industry maintains its stranglehold on Washington
via demagoguery, using China and other developing nations as scapegoats to
rationalize inaction. In fact, we produced most of the excess carbon in the air
today, and it is to our advantage as a nation to move smartly in developing ways
to reduce emissions. As with the ozone problem, developing countries can be
allowed limited extra time to reduce emissions. They will cooperate: they have
much to lose from climate change and much to gain from
clean air and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
We must establish fair agreements with other countries. However, our
own tax and dividend should start immediately. We have much to gain from it as a
nation, and other countries will copy our success. If necessary, import duties
on products from uncooperative countries can level the playing field, with the
import tax added to the dividend pool.
Democracy works, but sometimes churns slowly. Time is short. The
2008 election is critical for the planet. If Americans turn out to pasture the
most brontosaurian congressmen, if Washington adapts to address climate change,
our children and grandchildren can still hold great expectations.
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>>>>> Get the book that started it all <<<<<
An
Inconvenient Truth:
The Planetary Emergency of Globa
l Warmingand What We Can Do about It
Al Gore, Rodale, paperback, 327 pages.
The science is in; global warming is real and we are the main cause of it. We are already feeling its effects in numerous ways. In the months and years to come, it will become more and more of an emergency issue as our planet bakes under the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas pollution that we keep spewing into atmosphere. The question then becomes, "What can we do about it?" Well, first of all, we can understand it. Exactly what is global warming? What is causing it? What evidence exists that it is real? Is it all hype? Is it really "the greatest hoax every perpetrated on the American public?"
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