To the Editor:

Here is our 4th and (for now) final commentary on climate change, where we share information on different aspects of this urgent and complex global issue.

For many Newtown residents our yards and gardens are an important aspect of our quality of life. This past year, after an unusually mild winter, many of our flowering trees and shrubs budded early, only to be thwarted by a late March frost, which destroyed the blooms. It’s one more example of climate change.

The impact continued throughout an increasingly wet summer. Instead of admiring prolific hydrangeas we saw a lot more fungus on our plants and vines suffocating our trees.

During the September 11th rainstorm, Jack Drake — a meteorologist from Danbury Weather took a video of the torrent in Ram’s Pasture … This kind of (flash) flood image is becoming more prevalent, replacing the memories we have of winter wonderlands in our town. The video is worth a look if you haven’t seen it!

On Friday Sept 29th many of us received an Emergency Alert from the National Weather Service due to the likelihood of flash flooding after more than 4” of rain in a day and ca 13” in the month (4x more than the monthly average of 3.5”…)

It’s happening!

October is typically a wonderful month in New England. We all look forward to fall traditions and the beautiful colors around us … This year the colors are muted. We see more brown leaves on the trees and the ground than the brilliant yellows, oranges and reds with which we are familiar. It’s a trend, and surely a trend that will impact tourism in the Northeast if the leaf-peepers have less fall foliage to see.

Before we know it, winter will arrive. In years gone by, we may have looked forward to watching our children (and grandchildren) skating or playing ice hockey on Hawley Pond, rather than having to compete and pay for ice time at the busy indoor ice arenas. These days we are probably more concerned about the dangers of letting the kids walk out on the ice (if it is there at all).

Other folks will have enjoyed ice-fishing on Candlewood Lake, etc. Last winter was a disaster, impacting local (bait and tackle) small businesses.

Skiing too is becoming increasingly reliant on the manufacture of snow. Whilst this technology maintains the experience, it comes at a cost for the customers and uses plenty of energy in the process.

The list of climate events continues to grow … close to home.

… So, what can we do? We can’t change the weather, right? No, but it’s not about today’s weather, it’s about influencing policy decisions that will impact climate trends longer-term. With elections coming up, we have an opportunity to do just that.

If you enjoyed our articles, or even if you completely disagree, let us know. Send a response to The Newtown Bee.

Do It For Your Grandchildren!

Frank B. Gardner & Neil P. Randle

Sandy Hook