The Trump administration published a major scientific report Friday which contradicts its own view of the public health and economic impacts of climate change. UVM professor and Vermont State Climatologist Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux was the lead author for the Northeast region of that National Climate Assessment.
She says Vermonters should be especially aware of how climate change will impact rural economies.
The Northeast region is defined by its four seasons, Dupigny-Giroux explains. And she says changes in the seasons — including milder winters and earlier springs — will have a direct influence on natural resources (including wildlife, forests, snow conditions and stream flow). The result will be an impact on economic industries — from tourism to agriculture — as well as ways of life.
FOR MORE — Find the full report here.
But despite the report’s dire predictions, Dupigny-Giroux says she’s "actually hopeful."
President Donald Trump may not believe the economic impact of climate change, but Dupigny-Giroux says many Northeasterners are rolling up their sleeves to come up with solutions. And in the four years since the last National Climate Assessment report was published, Dupigny-Giroux says she’s seen a lot of hard work being done to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Dupigny-Giroux says that while recommendations were not included in the report, its research was based on input from stakeholders who are experiencing climate change challenges.
Listen to an extended interview with Dupigny-Giroux above.
