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Cameron P. Wake, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor, Climate Change Research Center, University of New Hampshire, presented an overview of climate change in the Northeast. Using numerous examples and scientific data, Dr. Wake presented evidence of the changes that have already occurred, including a 4.4º F increase in average winter temperatures in the Northeast over the past 30 years, and implications of the changing global climate on the local environment.
David W. Wolfe, Ph.D., Professor of Plant Ecology, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University, discussed climate change’s impact on plants in the Northeast and the new risks and challenges that gardeners, farmers, and land managers face. The challenges include invasive insects and other pests, a reduction in biodiversity, and increasing uncertainties in weather patterns. Risks to agriculture and to the rural economy—most notably in the fragile dairy industry—were also discussed, as well as ways in which gardeners can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
Peter Del Tredici, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, has had a great deal of experience growing diverse trees and shrubs at the Arnold Arboretum as well as in his own gardens. He described how the changing climate affects plants, especially woody plants, and outlined strategies to keep gardens healthy in the face of climate change, from expanding the palette of plants used in gardens to improving soil conditions to buffer plants against environmental change.
Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase and House & Garden
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