The Effects of Climate Change on National Parks
Written by Vihaan Chaturvedy
As a child I was an enthusiastic explorer, meaning that I visited a lot of national parks across the country. From the peaks of Yosemite to the swamps of the Everglades, I quickly discovered the natural beauty that our nation has to offer, and the vast, diverse landscapes that vary drastically amongst different states and regions. However as I grew older and continued to visit more national parks, I noticed some large differences. I noticed that the landscapes tended to be drier, with less vegetation than prior years. I noticed that there was less and less snow every single winter. I noticed that there seemed to be less wildlife overall. And my findings were unfortunately not a dream. They were completely real.
How Climate Change affects National Parks
A 2018 CBS study found that national parks are warming at twice the rate compared to the rest of the United States, primarily because most of their locations are at higher elevations or closer to the North Pole. In colder climates, the glaciers are melting rapidly, and it’s visible to all the tourists who visit. For example, in Zion National Park in Utah, the park is experiencing a loss of snow and ice, a loss of wildlife, and worse air pollution. When it does rain or snow, it usually comes in storms, which tend to harm the local habitats that get altered after these erratic weather patterns. Glacier National Park is seeing similar, devastating impacts on their wildlife, including mass glacier melting. In California, the state is seeing higher wildfire rates, and more drought across the already arid landscape. Statistics are finding that California’s dry conditions are becoming more and more common, and allow for widespread wildfires to contribute to more wildlife loss. In Florida, the rising ocean levels are flowing into freshwater habitats, altering the aquatic content in marshland ecosystems. In Acadia National Park, located in Maine, tree species are struggling to keep up with the rapid growth of temperatures. The harmful effects of climate change continue to grow, and every year, tourists are seeing species disappear. Climate change is also especially prevalent at national parks due to the fact that these large ecosystems are being the first ones to collapse, and species are suffering.
Combating Climate Change
The National Park Service conducted a study, and reported that 71% of national parks in the contiguous United States are at high risk of climate change and its impacts. And while this does seem very terrible, we fortunately have numerous organizations from all over the country that work on wildlife conservation at these national parks, and protecting the natural ecosystems. National parks themselves are imposing stronger restrictions and regulations on tourism at these sites, limiting spaces open to the public, and spreading awareness on safe wildlife viewing. In California, many national parks, such as Sequoia and Redwood national parks, are attempting to preserve as many of their lush trees as possible. These trees are extremely critical for absorbing carbon emissions and fighting climate change. Additionally, the infrastructure at these parks are increasing, with more waste disposal structures accessible around these parks, and warning signs to clean your shoes, which prevents the spread of invasive species. As a tourist, it is imperative to follow all official signage at these parks, make sure to leave designated spaces, and store all food and waste appropriately. All these steps will lead to a more sustainable future, where future travelers are able to still see the thriving wildlife, magnificent glaciers, and beautiful nature.