Dr. Sara Via, [email protected] 10/25/17

Successful and Sustainable Global Warming, 1884 – 2011 - variation through time in a Changing Climate - variation across space

Dr. Sara Via Professor & Climate Extension Specialist This is EVIDENCE, not opinion UMD, College Park Difference from 1951 – 1980 [email protected] Average Source: NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterScientific VisualizationStudio - 2° C 0° + 2° C

Severe Weather Global warming is contributing to an increased incidence of extreme weather because the environment in which all storms form has changed …” Dr. Kevin Trenberth, June 2011 National Center for Atmospheric Research

-warmer air -warmer ocean -more water vapor in air -higher sea level This is the New Normal

The NEW NORMAL for

1. More CO2: Is this a benefit? NO. Climate Change 2. Rising temperatures - warmer winters, earlier springs - more extremely hot days, fewer cool nights mitigation - increased temperature variability 3. Heavier downpours, more severe weather 4. More possibility of drought Gardening 5. Possibility of salination (Eastern Shore) Gardeners can be part of the solution!!

1 Dr. Sara Via, [email protected] 10/25/17

Effects of Climate Change: Temperature False Spring in Your Warm February, freeze in March or April

cover up if possible

Flowering trees - Fewer cold nights for required chilling may lose the - perennials, bulbs, some fruit trees (apples) year’s blooms - Georgia peaches

Is it really hot?? Shade helps! Adapting to effects of climate change Tomato 30% shade, July 2012 Shaded Too m uc h w a t e r -Improve drainage -monitor food safety

Too l i t t l e w a t e r - drip irrigation

NOT shaded

Source: J. Brust UME

Pests appear earlier, reproduce more Climate Friendly Gardening quickly and may differ year to year. Gardeners are part of the solution! - Be vigilant (learn signs of damage!) Climate Change

mitigation

- Consider row covers - Decide on control strategy before pests arrive Call in the experts at Home & Garden Info Center Gardening

2 Dr. Sara Via, [email protected] 10/25/17

Climate-Friendly (Sustainable) Gardening Climate Friendly Gardening

Yard tools à 5% US emissions Unfriendly

- Use hand tools (or electric) - Reconsider weed whackers, blowers - Weed smart, weed early, mulch Friendly - Cover , NO bare Reduce emissions: No-till planting plus mulch - Leaves soil structure, worms, - Keeps decomposible carbon underground - Bonus: keeps weed seed underground

Climate-Friendly Gardening Climate Friendly Gardening Build up the soil! -Organic material holds water, yet drains Control erosion - Garden design, raingardens -Add compost (compost - Native plants (bayscaping) your leaves this year!)

-Plant cover crops - add organic material - can add nitrogen - feed soil microbes

-Control erosion

Reduce !! - 42 million acres!! Thank you! - Consider “eco-landscaping”, bayscaping, permaculture

Email me anytime with questions:

Dr. Sara Via Dept. of Biology & Dept. of Entomology UMD, College Park [email protected]

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