What the Paris Climate Agreement means for the Mountains, Rivers, and Trails that You Care About

AMC strongly disagrees with President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, retreating from our world leadership in addressing greenhouse gas contributions to human-caused global climate disruptions. The climate is changing across the AMC region with warmer temperatures, more intense rainfall, and shorter snow seasons. AMC maintains a robust scientific program with staff and citizen scientists that have been documenting these changes in the White Mountains for over 80 years, beginninng with Joe Dodge’s record keeping at Pinkham Notch. We stand with the scientific community in understanding that human activity is the driving force behind the major changes to the climate we have seen since the Industrial Revolution and it takes human action to address these changes.

A changing climate will have dramatic impacts on the mountains, rivers, and trails that you care about:

• Snow pack will be diminished as winter temperatures continue to warm on average.
• Rivers will be less predictable for paddlers as the typical timing of snowmelt/runoff will decrease over time, yet storm intensity will increase.
• Our trails will be more at risk and require more frequent reconstruction as stronger storm systems will lead to greater erosion.
• Fragile alpine ecosystems face an uncertain future as winter precipitation patterns continue to change.

Taking action on climate change will bring real economic growth to our region through innovative clean energy jobs and through other programs that have already significantly benefited the region’s economy.  For example, Northeast states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) since 2009 have seen noteworthy greenhouse gas emission reductions while also seeing new economic activity and growth in clean energy markets and related technologies. The RGGI state governors have recognized the importance of leading with a clean energy economy by promoting energy efficiency and cleaner energy sources.  We support RGGI and applaud these governors for their continued work, which is needed more than ever in the absence of federal action.

AMC’s Policy and Research team is hosting a Webinar on June 7, 2017 at 8:30 pm on Climate Change in the AMC Region. Click here to register.