The term "Global Warming" has been talked about for years but how evident is it now in Minnesota? How is global warming changing our climate presently and what do the trends point to in the future? Have we actually noticed warming here in Minnesota or is it something yet to come? The state of Minnesota is in an area that is highly affected by global warming. It could be the most highly affected state of the 50. Much research and evidence are pointing Minnesota toward the worst as far as being affected by global warming.
The trends from data collected and recorded show warming at many sites throughout the state, especially in Northern Minnesota where many of the temperature increases are three to four times higher than the global average(Douglas). Within the next century, the temperature readings in Minnesota could climb enough to match the readings in Nebraska today. If our weather also becomes as dry as the central Great Plains, our trees will begin to die. Eventually, grasslands and oak tree patches will replace our
forests from south to north, and Minnesota will look a lot like Nebraska. This is one possible scenario based on global warming. Climate data, past evidence of climate change, and future models point to the certainty of major climate-related changes to our lands and waters. Indeed, the entire planet is about to be re-landscaped (Bauerlein).
During the past two decades, most springs in Minnesota
have arrived earlier than usual--sometimes by a week or
more. Eight of the twentiest warmest years in Minnesota
have been recorded since 1981. While the mid-1990's brought
some unusually harsh winters, never in recorded history has
Minnesota had three unusually warm winters in a row as it
did with record high-temperature years occurring in 1997,
If warming continues, Minnesota's forests could fade
away. For uncertain reasons, spruce along North Shore
streams have already declined in recent decades.
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