News

Those warmer Spring temps you’re feeling? It’s Climate Change.

It’s not just you. Warmer temps mean nature gets thrown off in various ways.

Enjoy the heat wave this week?

Spring temperatures are increasing, yet another signal that Climate Change is here. Philly’s Spring temperatures increased 2.7 degrees over the past 30 years.

Photo: Climate Central

It’s not just the weather that is affected by these increased temperatures: Warmer seasons encroaching on winter have implications. Earlier Spring temperatures can lengthen the growing season, which means your allergies are worse: pollen allergy season starts earlier and last longer.

It also means more pests, especially ticks. They become active earlier in the year and spread to areas that were considered “too cold” before. The increasing prevalence of Lyme disease, which has doubled since 1991, is even considered an indicator of climate change by the EPA.

Warmer Temps = Less fruit

Another implication of earlier Spring temps? Fruit trees. Fruit trees, like apple, blueberry and peach, need a dormant period over the winter to produce the fruit the following Spring and Summer. For example, apple trees need 800 -1100 hours of “chilling” at 45 degrees F, so they can wake up from dormancy and bud after a certain amount of warming.

With shorter winters and earlier springs, there’s less yield, shifting favorable locations for the trees and an effect on economies.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

Illegal dumping consequences, EPA stops protecting environment, new dumpsters, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  City ordinance to impound cars of illegal dumpers.…

2 days ago

Eco-Explainer: What is the Difference Between a Heat Advisory and a Heat Warning?

Feeling the heat? Learn how heat alerts can help you beat it and protect your…

3 days ago

How Erica Brown leads young people to “Sunrise” in the fight for climate justice

The Sunrise Philly Director shares her vision, challenges, and what keeps her going in the…

4 days ago

No more stopping in bike lanes, enviro groups sue over toxic chemical, and how public spaces contribute to thriving democracies

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  Stopping in bike lanes now ticketed. PPA began…

1 week ago

Got to go? PHLASK helps you find public restrooms & water fountains in Philly

An app created to help users find drinking water in the city has expanded to…

1 week ago

A secret green space in the Delaware River? Meet Petty’s Island

Once home to oil refineries, this island is off-limit to (most) humans and now a…

2 weeks ago