We live just south of one of the fastest warming regions in the country, which has experienced an increase of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit on average and Colorado’s Western Slope average temperature has increased 2.7 degrees, both occurring since 1895.
Durango’s winter hardiness agricultural index has increased from a Zone 4 in the 1990s to a Zone 6 today and the region has been experiencing less rainfall in the summer months during the same time period.
Even after last winter’s snowpack in the San Juan Mountains, last summer ended in severe drought.
Fort Lewis College biology professor Heidi Steltzer calls this “higher inter-annual variations.” She will be speaking Nov. 13 at the Green Business Round Table on the subject. Her talk is entitled “Mountain Futures: Sustaining Mountain Regions with Less Snow.” Please come.
I would especially hope that our city councilors attend the presentation and apply the knowledge gained to policy-making and decisions regarding budget allocations. Changes in climate are taking place much faster than they can implement a plan to address them. We who have long been interested in these subjects hope to see the formation of a stakeholders committee where councilors, La Plata Electric Association directors and citizens come together to form an implementation plan to bring the goals of all to fruition.
The climate crisis is something that is affecting all aspects of our lives and will become more of an issue as time passes. Bold action is needed and fast. This is no time for myopic visionaries.
Lissa RayDurango
