At Connetquot River State Park Preserve on New York’s Long Island stands an ice house constructed in the 1800s that denotes a time when the planet was cooler. It was constructed with a brick foundation that formed a cellar with wooden walls above the ground and sheltered with a steep wooden roof. During the winter, it was packed with ice harvested from local lakes. The ice kept food fresh and drinks cold. This ice remained frozen through the summer. Eventually, this form of ice production was replaced by ice made in factories.

This form of ice harvesting could not occur on Long Island with today’s climate. Winters are warmer, and the Island’s waterways rarely freeze. I looked forward to ice skating on our winter ponds when I was young. When the ice froze to 6 inches thick, parks roped off areas for ice skating. That no longer happens.

Many of you may not have personally witnessed these changes in the climate. As a 72-year-old biologist, I have had the unique opportunity to observe these changes in the natural environment over the years. Wildflowers now bloom earlier, autumn arrives later, and bird migration patterns have shifted.

Regardless of our individual beliefs about the causes of climate change, the reality of a warming climate is undeniable. If we don’t take immediate action to slow it down, we may find ourselves on a significantly hotter planet. The urgency of this question cannot be overstated. The earth will endure, but the future of our species is at stake. Will we be able to adapt, or will we become another casualty of our own inaction?  

Please share your observations of a warming climate in the comments below.