Climate change affects everyone, even if we don’t always feel the impact on our daily lives. Without an immediate and decisive response to climate change, our lifestyles, livelihoods, and health will hang in the balance for decades to come. Not all climate change is bad, but most is. Globally and in New Hampshire, warming has caused many impacts that affect us now and will continue to worsen in the future. According to a recent report from the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire, temperatures across the state have increased by an average of 1.7 degrees Celsius (3.0 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1901. The increase in average temperatures is more pronounced in the fall and winter. more at night than during the day. As a result, winters have become warmer, the frequency and severity of extreme cold has decreased, and the number of thaw events has increased. These warmer temperatures, especially in winter, are responsible for greater survival of pests such as ticks and mosquitoes, a shorter season for outdoor activities such as skiing and snowmobiling, fewer days with snow on the ground, reduced maple syrup production, and more drought. Annual precipitation has increased by 12 % in New Hampshire. As the atmosphere warms, its ability to hold moisture increases. This has increased heavy rainfall. The White Mountains and the seacoast have seen an increase in the number of rainfall events exceeding four inches in a few days, while inland areas and the far north have seen an increase in the number of daily events of one inch. The heavier rainfall causes greater river flooding and also increases the activity of insects such as invasive pests, ticks, and mosquitoes. (JOHN CROSBY)

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