Welcome to our weekly newsletter showcasing environmental trends and solutions driving us towards a more sustainable world. Hi, I’m Jill. It’s refreshing to see the impact we can make. I invite you to explore the U.K.’s annual plant hunt and how it aids scientists studying climate change.
This week’s highlights include:
– Blooming flowers in the U.K. during January
– Solar-powered Electric Vehicles (EVs)
– Transformation of a funeral home’s memorial trees into an award-winning forest
Citizen science plays a crucial role in understanding climate change impacts in the U.K. Data collected by thousands of citizens on New Year’s Day reveals a significant increase in native plant species blooming on Jan. 1 compared to previous decades, correlating with rising temperatures. The U.K.’s Met Office discovered that for every 1 C temperature rise in a location, 2.5 additional species bloom on Jan. 1. This data, collected over 10 years from the New Year Plant Hunt, is expected to provide valuable insights in the upcoming months.
The New Year Plant Hunt, now in its 15th year, originated from the curiosity of two botanists observing changing blooming patterns in the U.K. The event has grown to involve nearly 3,700 participants, engaging in nature tracking activities across their communities. This year, a remarkable 663 native plant species were recorded in bloom on Jan. 1, surpassing the expected count of 10 species as per traditional phenology textbooks.
Louise Marsh from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland emphasizes the importance of this citizen science initiative, evolving from a fun activity to a valuable data collection method for scientific analysis. The extensive participation in the New Year Plant Hunt, under expert review, offers detailed and accurate observations that satellites or drones cannot match, as highlighted by Debbie Hemming from the Met Office.
Parallel studies in Canada in 2013 demonstrated the effectiveness of citizen science in studying climate impacts, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to understand climate change’s effects on nature. Marsh encourages people to engage in observation, emphasizing that everyone can contribute, regardless of expertise.
In a separate development, a Windsor, Ont.-area funeral home received an environmental achievement award for establishing the Fred Cada Memorial Forest by planting trees in honor of families they have served over the past 30 years. This sustainable practice not only commemorates loved ones but also contributes to future generations.
For more environmental insights and updates, subscribe to our podcast and radio show, available every Wednesday and Saturday. Additionally, check the CBC News Climate Dashboard for real-time weather updates and historical temperature trends across the country.
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Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more environmental news and solutions.