User:Penguinandbooks224/Climate change in New Hampshire

Lead
Climate change has significantly affected New Hampshire's winter recreation industry, particularly altering outdoor activities. Over the past decades, rising temperatures have led to diminished snowfall, particularly in southern regions of the state. This decline has adversely affected the state's ski industry, which has compelled resorts to invest heavily in artificial snow production, leading to increasing financial stress and increased closures. Decreased snowfall in New Hampshire also broader economic implications. These climate-related challenges have strained infrastructure and led to increased energy demand for activities such as snow-making.

Agriculture
Rising temperatures from climate change have been recorded in New Hampshire and can affect agriculture. Temperatures have been rising by 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1901 while the most significant heating has occurred in the last 50 years, specifically in fall and winter seasons (1). Similarly, heavy precipitation has increased by 12%, with the largest precipitation changes occurring in the winter season. (1) Droughts and increased temperatures can harm some New Hampshire crops, while the lengthening of the growing season could help them. The Environmental Protection Agency predicts that corn will be negatively affected, with yield rates decreasing (2)

Due to the rising temperatures, New Hampshire has begun to experience longer growing seasons. An area’s growing season is measured from the average date of the last frost in the spring to the average date of the first frost in the fall. Since 1960, the length of this period has increased. An early starting growing season can offer farmers new opportunities to take risks trying to grow different crops, but the lengthier season also has its downsides. The longer growing season allows for invasive weeds to grow, and more opportunities for harmful pests are presented. Increasing temperatures through New Hampshire are validated by the USDA plant hardiness zones, sharing the average annual minimum winter temperatures. It shows New Hampshire shifting to a warmer zone. Consistent with this trend, lilacs, apples, and grapes have been blooming early in the Northeast region.

Effects on Winter Recreation and Ski Resorts
Since the 1970’s temperatures have increased in the winter months and snowfall has significantly decreased. Mean winter temperature has warmed faster than global average, by about 2.1° C (3.8° F).(1). While the whole state has seen a steady decline in snowfall, snow loss is particularly prominent in southern New Hampshire. Between 1950 and 2003, annual snowfall in the city of Berlin in northern NH decreased by 43 cm (17 inches)(1). During the same period the city of Keene in southwest NH saw a decrease in snow fall of 58 cm, or just under two feet at 23 inches (1).

Ski resorts have thus turned to creating artificial snow, which is expensive. Resorts spend approximately $70 to $2,100 per acre-foot depending on location. (An acre-foot refers to the volume needed to cover one acer in one foot of snow.) This cost is calculated through many factors, including the electricity cost, the amount of water consumed, and the need for compressed air to shoot out the newly made snow. Between 1975 to 2000, many ski resorts in NH closed as smaller operators in lower elevations could not afford to invest in snow-making equipment. "Major areas spent millions of dollars on snow-making equipment during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The successful ones left behind other areas that could not keep up with the pace of investment” (1)

The turn to creating artificial snow also makes skiing a more energy-intensive winter activity. As with natural snow, there are specific conditions and thresholds for making artificial snow. For mountain resorts to make artificial snow, there must be less than 60% humidity and temperatures around 27 degrees.(Scott Michon, Climate.gov) With the rise of temperatures, ski resorts either produce less quality snow or emit more GHG emissions by running the snow machines longer. In addition, shorter, warmer winters also means ski resorts have a difficult time remaining open enough days to make a profit. In NH, a ski resort must be open approximately a 100 days minimum.

Effects on Coastal Tourism

New Hampshire is a coastal state with coastal communities; due to climate change, there has been a rise in sea levels. The rising sea level is a problem not only for residents but also for tourists. During the summer, places like Hampton Beach and Rye Beach are popular tourist areas; with rising sea levels, the beaches are becoming smaller and more crowded.

NH and Renewable Energy

New Hampshire has increasing energy demand from increasing temperatures and more energy used for air conditioning. New Hampshire has been promoting using renewable energy sources. This includes increasing the share of electricity generated from renewables and encouraging the development of solar and wind power projects. The state has also supported policies to incentivize the adoption of clean energy technologies. New Hampshire has also been striving for better regulation and better reliable transportation.