Saranac Lake, NY, Sep 28, 2010 — For a couple of decades now, we've been hearing about climate change as something happening on a global scale. It's a story of polar bears and shrinking arctic ice. Ecologist Jerry Jenkins' new book aims to bring the discussion back home.

"Climate Change in the Adirondacks" paints a detailed, intimate picture of how the warming trend will affect our lives here in the North Country.

Jenkins works for the Wildlife Conservation Society's Adirondack Program. He says temperatures in the Adirondack-North Country have already risen by roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Jenkins told Brian Mann that reducing carbon pollution will mean making decisions that no one is going to like.  Go to full article

May 19, 2010 — This morning in Lake Placid, the Adirondack Research Consortium begins its annual conference. The group gathers to share the latest research and thinking about the North Country.

One of the papers being delivered this week focuses on the impact of climate change in the Champlain Valley. The research was funded by the Adirondack Nature Conservancy in an effort to find out how global warming might affect one relatively small region. The study shows that temperatures have already risen in the Champlain Valley by roughly two degrees Fahrenheit since the 1970s. Increased precipitation has also raised the lake level by an average of a foot. Warming is expected to continue over the next century.

Dr. Curt Stager, a researcher at Paul Smiths College, co-authored the study with Adirondack-based journalist Mary Thill. Stager told Brian Mann that scientists are struggling to understand the local impacts of climate change.  Go to full article

Elizabethtown, NY, Dec 11, 2009 — Using carbon credits to encourage power plants and other polluters to protect forestland is one strategy for limiting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But here in the North Country, some local government leaders and environmental groups think communities should also be compensated for helping preserve forests.

In some Adirondack towns, more than 70% of the land is protected by park rules that ban logging and development. There's a regional carbon trading market, but local governments haven't ever been issued carbon credits they could sell alongside the credits polluters buy and sell.
John Sheehan, with the Adirondack Council, told Brian Mann the forestland idea is gaining more credibility.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Oct 13, 2009 — The health care debate is sucking up most of the energy in Washington. So it makes sense that the world is concerned the US might come empty-handed to global climate talks in December. Conrad Wilson explains how the heath care debate is threatening the chances of a global climate treaty.  Go to full article

Shishmaref, AK, Jul 22, 2009 — Yesterday, we reported that Arctic sea ice is melting faster than scientists (already alarmed at its disappearance) had expected. The National Snow and Ice Data Center says the rate has accelerated to 11.7% per decade.

That is far too fast for Native Americans who live along the Artic ice, on permafrost that's also thawing rapidly. Environmental biologist Jon Rosales teaches at St. Lawrence University. He spent this past spring getting a first hand look at effects of climate change in northern Alaska. He visited three villages on the Seward Peninsula, the part of Alaska that reaches west toward Siberia. It is our end of what used to be the land bridge between the two continents. He told Martha Foley that even in late spring, he says, the snow was horizontal. But, still, everything is too warm.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2009 — It's Earth Day. All over the world, millions of people will be celebrating and speaking out about the critical environmental challenges. Slowing climate change tops contemporary lists. But researchers at SUNY's College of Environmental Science and Forestry say people are a rapidly growing part of the problem. In a statement issued this week, SUNY researchers argued that population control has to be a part of any long-term fix to the global warming. Brian Mann has more.  Go to full article

St. Louis, MO, Apr 07, 2009 — Coal has a reputation as a sooty, dirty fuel. More recently, environmentalists and the coal industry alike have become just as worried about the carbon dioxide released when coal is burned. In the third part of our series on the future of coal, Matt Sepic of the Environment Report has this look at the science behind so-called "clean coal".  Go to full article

Alexandria, VA, Apr 03, 2009 — If you've watch TV, you probably know this...you are being targeted by lobbyists. The coal industry and environmentalists are both trying to influence what you think. To help sort out the assertions, we begin a five-part series on the future of coal today, from The Environment Report. In part one, Lester Graham looks at the campaigns for-and-against coal.  Go to full article

Dec 10, 2008 — One of Lake Placid's top waterfront hotels is being honored for environmental excellence. New York's Department of Environmental Conservation has recognized the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort for green programs designed to protect Mirror Lake and cut the hotel's carbon footprint. Brian Mann visited the resort last week and has this profile.  Go to full article

Nov 20, 2008 — Researchers, local government leaders and state officials gathered this week in Tupper Lake to talk about the impact of global climate change in the Adirondacks. The conference at the Wild Center offered a snapshot of the best new science on global warming. Organizers also hope to chart local strategies for reducing carbon emissions in the region. As Brian Mann reports, they hope that cutting pollution can also lead to lower energy costs for businesses and governments.  Go to full article