Scientists are determining that climate change is effecting the distributions of plants and animals, population sizes, growth rates, timing of plant flowering, and timing of animal migration. We also noticing other climate related challenges, including the intensity and frequency of storms, droughts and fire, raising the level of the oceans, and melting glaciers. Many of these changes have affected, or soon will affect, the health and sustainability of the Appalachian Trail. Potential impacts include:
- More frequent droughts, which would cause the backcountry water sources hikers depend on to dry up
- More heavy rainfall and severe storms, which would cause increased treadway erosion and blowdown obstructions
- Increased risk of forest fires
- Increased invasion of exotic-invasive species
- Changes in the timing of the seasons, which will alter and compromise the “Walking with Spring” trail experience
As part of its advocacy for the important and diverse ecosystems along the 2,181 mile Trail and its surrounding 250,000 acres of protected land, the ATC’s Board of Directors adopted a climate change resolution in November 2008 which commits the ATC to:
- Reduce its own carbon emissions by implementing cost-effective energy technology and behavior changes in its own operations
- Educate the ATC members and Trail visitors on climate and climate change (PDF) and its wide-ranging effects on the A. T.
- Share information on the availability of mass-transit and other low-carbon transportation alternative for travel to trailheads, and promote mass transit accessibility to trailheads
- Monitor climate change indicators and collect climate-relevant data through the A.T. MEGA-Transect and other environmental monitoring programs
- Recognize the value of A.T. forest lands for carbon sequestration, climate modification, and as a corridor to allow wildlife to adapt to climate change
- Support policies of energy conservation and renewable energy technology where consistent with the ATC’s other policies
- Work with like-minded organizations to promote carbon-reducing efforts and climate change education programs
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