Natural Security Blog: Post
Natural Security Travel Diary: Colorado
July 9, 2009 | Posted by Sharon Burke - 10:23am | 17 Comments
Day five in Colorado with my family brought us to what is surely one of the most beautiful places on Earth - Rocky Mountain National Park. But there's trouble in paradise.
I took this photo in the park - this is actually the Colorado River. Hard to believe that this gorgeous mountain stream will go on to be the primary water source for 27 million people in 7 U.S. states and 2 countries, irrigating 3 million acres of cropland along the way. Or will it?
A recent National Academies of Science study noted that given even conservative climate change projections, "currently scheduled future water deliveries from the Colorado River are not sustainable." The good news, however, is that it might not have to be that way if the consumers of the water manage the resources better, according to the study.
But there's a potentially even more devastating story in this bucolic photo. If you look carefully, you might notice that the forest in the backdrop is changing color. If you're scratching your head about how the Rockies could be experiencing Fall in July, consider that those are "evergreens."
The russet color of the trees is actually the work of the pine mountain beetle, or dendroctonus ponderosae. From Canada to Mexico, milder temperatures and lower precipitation have produced the largest beetle infestation on record.
All of those russet pines - and several species are affected - will die. This is part of a natural cycle; fires are usually the next step. Given that the infestations are pervasive and surround populated areas, however, this is not a great option (though surely an unavoidable one to some extent). Unfortunately, the cold snaps that kill off the beetles some winters are usually part of the cycle, too, but that hasn't happened for about a decade.
Where does this end - or does it end - I don't know. But when you look at the forest, it appears that at least half of the trees here, maybe more, are already dying or dead.
Photos by Sharon Burke.
Hi, I've got pictures of New
Hi, I've got pictures of New Jersey trees here: witsendnj.blogspot.com. They are dying in the east as well, and it is no particular pest or disease. It's just a changed climate - drier weather, less snow, and it doesn't get cold enough for trees and shrubs to go dormant in winter so a cold snap causes terminal damage. Wait till we have wildfires in suburbia, maybe then people will notice.
The world is so beautiful
The world is so beautiful and there are so many places that are not going to be here in a few years because we neglected or even destroyed them. We are going to pay for this ill-attention.
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Rocky Mountain Park is one
Rocky Mountain Park is one of the most amazing parks I have seen.I can understand what you are talking about. I mean we can't let it go like that for more global warming. We can make some necessary steps for reducing global Warming.If you find half of the trees already dead than why no raise voice against it or make some awareness program for afforestation of general trees like pine trees, ficus trees, arman trees e.t.c. since they can grow in any type of climate.
Rocky Mountain Park is one
Rocky Mountain Park is one of the most amazing parks I have seen.I can understand what you are talking about. I mean we can't let it go like that for more global warming. We can make some necessary steps for reducing global Warming.If you find half of the trees already dead than why no raise voice against it or make some awareness program for afforestation of general trees like pine trees,ficus trees, arman trees e.t.c. since they can grow in any type of climate.
Regards,
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Yeah, according to some
Yeah, according to some world's biggest organizations water is going to be number one reason for future crisis, there's going to be a lot of problem for quality water so if authorities utilizes these natural resources well and the consumers of it too (because ultimately it's us who waste too much water), then we can keep them going. It applies to every one of us, if we're to avoid such big crises in the future, we need to be conserving water as much as possible and don't waste it.
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Sharon, you have written
Sharon, you have written awesome post. Colorado is always in mind since a year and i have been planning to visit.
Regards
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The Earth is a beautiful
The Earth is a beautiful planet and there are so many places. But these beautiful places are slightly going to be here because of industrialization, and direct approach to the Nature. Global worming is becoming high every and definitely our earth is in danger
Regards
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The planet Earth is a
The planet Earth is a beautiful and there are so many places. But this places are a bit going to be here due to industrialization, and the direct approach to nature. global worming is becoming high and, finally, our land is in danger
Greeting
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Colorado is always in my
Colorado is always in my mind since a year and i have been planning to visit.. Thanks for your information.
Regards
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I agree with you that
I agree with you that Colorada has many beautiful places, but one of the most beautiful is Rocky Mountain National Park. I am really impressed by the photos you posted. Irena from payday loans
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I'm a really big fan of our
I'm a really big fan of our National Park Systems. We are trying to restore my town's state park by replanting a lot of tress lost to deforestation. It is going to take years for the trees to grow up and fill the terrain again.
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