Gardener’s Guide to Global
Warming
Challenges and Solutions
Patty Glick
Senior Global Warming Specialist
National Wildlife Federation
Gardener’s Guide to
Global Warming
•Science
•Impacts
•Solutions
Gardener’s Guide to
Global Warming
•Science
•Impacts
•Solutions
How Global Warming Works
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
700? 900?
Atmospheric CO2 (ppm)
■ 380 ppm
today
Up 11+˚ F ?
Up 1.4˚ F
Global Average Temperature Change
Pacific Northwest
Projected
Temperature Increase
by 2040s
1.5 to 5.2° F
Changes in
Precipitation Patterns
More Extremes
Decrease in Annual
Number of Frost
Days, 1948 - 1999
2 weeks
Declining Mountain Snowpack and
Retreating Glaciers
Gardener’s Guide to
Global Warming
•Science
•Impacts
•Solutions
Gardeners
Have a
Unique
Connection
to the Land
Plants are Leafing Out and
Blooming Earlier
Changes in Migration and Breeding
Patterns
Robins are arriving 10 days earlier
in Wisconsin
Butterflies are advancing their first
flight date by 24 days
Tree Swallows are laying eggs 9
days earlier
Species are Shifting Ranges
MORE CHALLENGES
FOR GARDENERS...
Changes in USDA Hardiness Zones
Threats to Native and
Iconic Species
Coast Rhododendron
Oregon Grape
Threats to Agriculture
...A CATASTROPHE FOR NATURE
• Warmer Rivers
and Lakes
• Earlier Peak
Runoff
• Lower Summer
Streamflow
• Loss of Estuarine
Habitat
• Warmer Oceans
Expansion of Invasive Species
Worsening Native Pest Outbreaks
Disrupted Ecosystems and
Species Extinctions
Gardener’s Guide to
Global Warming
•Science
•Impacts
•Solutions
You Can
Take Action
&
Make a
Difference
Laura Ouimette, Flickr.com
Restore and Protect
Natural Habitats
Embrace
Conservation and
Reduce Waste
Take Action in Your
Community
Restore and Protect Natural Habitats
Incorporate a Diversity of Native Plants
into Your Landscape
Restore and Protect Natural Habitats
Avoid Invasive Plants
Tree of Heaven
Butterfly Bush
Policeman’s
Helmet
Western
Crabapple
Pacific
Ninebark
Penstemon
Restore and Protect Natural Habitats
Use Organic Gardening Methods
Restore and Protect Natural Habitats
Get the Right Kind of Mulch
Restore and Protect
Natural Habitats
Embrace
Conservation and
Reduce Waste
Take Action in Your
Community
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Reduce Water Consumption
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Develop a Rain Garden
NRCS
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Plant Trees to Protect Your Home
from the Elements and Consider
Installing a Green Roof
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Grow Your Own Food
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Compost kitchen and garden
waste
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Improve Your Energy Efficiency
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Reduce the Use of Gasoline-Powered
Yard Tools
Using a push instead of a power mower will reduce carbon dioxide
emissions by 80 pounds per year.
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Reduce the Size of Your Lawn
Embrace Conservation and Reduce Waste
Conserve Energy, and Use Green
Products In The Home
Restore and Protect
Natural Habitats
Embrace
Conservation and
Reduce Waste
Take Action in Your
Community
Take Action in Your Community
Plant Native Trees and Protect
Undeveloped Landscapes
Take Action in Your Community
Encourage Local Garden
Retailers to Stock Native Plants
Take Action in Your Community
Participate in Citizen Science
Take Action in Your Community
Certify your Home and Neighborhood
as a Community Wildlife Habitat
Take Action in Your Community
Demand Action From Your
Elected Officials
Ask elected officials to
support climate change
policy
Raise awareness of
climate change at the
local level
Support nature-friendly
policies and programs
Enjoy your
garden!
Tony the Misfit, flickr.com
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