Thread: USDA: Maine's growing zones have changed

Originally Posted by metheron

I haven't found many naysayers to climate change in general. The naysayers were when they called it 'global warming', you remember that don't you.

The argument, and you know this, is the extent of human interference in climate change or is it just natural climate change that is constantly occuring.

And to start using one state as an example will only bolster those that find a state/city/region, what have you that might have a colder than the previous year average. Its a slippery slope.

Originally Posted by Babba

Meth, Maine wasn't the only change. The only reason Jack made a big deal about that one change is because she lives there. And this isn't based on one year.



USDA's new Plant Hardiness Zone Map reflects warmer winters

Yes, I remember the global warming / climate change nomenclature controversy. However, the climate change skeptics did indeed doubt global warming (some of them are still hanging on, even some on this board). When that became an intenable position, they switched to, oh yea, sure, maybe the climate is changing b/c the globe is warming, but humans aren't responsible! And now some of those are realizing THAT is an untenable position, and are switching to, oh, well, maybe humans are somewhat responsible, but really, who knows how much, so what's the point of changing human behavior?


Yes, IA on the slippery slope, which is the point of 'climate change caused by global warming'. SOME climates will heat up, some will get colder (eastern Europe is having a wicked cold spell right now, btw, I think more than 30 people have died from the cold/exposure in recent weeks), some will experience weather systems not typical (worse droughts, worse precip storms, worse tornadoes, etc). Well, you get the picture.



Re: the focus on Maine tho, Babba's got it right. It showed up in my 'local news' section on Google News, b/c I live here. But, even in Maine, it's just the coastal regions, not inland/western Maine that has had its hardiness zone change. And, too, as Babba's link points out, it's not just coastal Maine that's been affected. Other places have been too.




As to the mild winter and farm chores - my daughter is doing a class at school called "Cream", where she and the class help manage a dairy cow herd. Do the chores, and the milkings, and the calvings, and all of it. I guess I'm glad the winters are somewhat milder . Although the first class of the session was a subzero day/night and she said she was worried about losing toes, her feet were so cold. *mom worry face*

LOL