Updated: Popcorn and Policy: Forum on local Climate Change Nov. 29

By Heather Wright

HOUGHTON -- In the past century, as a result of human activities, greenhouse gases have increased to levels that scientists have concluded are changing our climate. Although these changes are global in scale, the impacts can be seen at the local level. Some of the climate changes that can be expected in the Great Lakes Region include warmer temperatures and increased precipitation -- with more falling as rain.

It is expected that winters will get shorter due to increases in temperatures, and increased evaporation will impact water levels. In fact, the most significant impact of climate change in the Great Lakes Region is likely to be on water levels. These will continue to fluctuate seasonally, and at times they may drop below historic lows.

The adaptation options available to coastal communities depend on their vulnerability. For instance, the Keweenaw Peninsula is vulnerable to changes in rain/ice/snow regimes, increases in extreme weather and shorter winters that will negatively impact winter sports and tourism.

Fortunately, some positive adaptation opportunities also exist for coastal communities. Here in the Keweenaw, these opportunities include reduced heating costs and energy use with warmer winters, reduction in salt use on roads with improvements to water quality and longer summers that may increase tourism.

Join the Michigan Tech Students for Environmental Sustainability and Engineers Without Borders from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, for a discussion on Climate Change in the Keweenaw. At this Popcorn and Policy event, panelists from academia, industry and the community will talk about causes, changes and what you can do!

This event will take place on Michigan Tech’s campus in the ME-EM (Mechanical Engineering Building) Room 112. Attendants are encouraged to bring their questions and comments!*

The panelists include Kristine Bradof (Environmental Sustainability Committee), Dr. Kathy Halvorsen (Michigan Tech faculty), Dr. David Shonnard (Sustainable Futures Institute), Kateryna Lapina (Michigan Tech graduate student), Michael Moore (Keweenaw Sustainability Project), and Jane DeMartini (Keweenaw Biodiesel).

This Popcorn and Policy event is free and open to the public. Come for the popcorn… stay for the policy!

Editor's Notes: Guest author Heather Wright is a doctoral candidate in Michigan Tech University's Environmental Engineering program. At MTU she is also the president of the Students for Environmental Sustainability, a member of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and an Integrative Graduate Education and Research Trainee (IGERT).

For background on climate change in the Keweenaw Peninsula, see Keweenaw Now contributor Katie Alvord's prize-winning articles. Go to "Local writer wins journalism award" and follow the links to read her articles on keweenawnow.com.

*Editor's Note: We regret the incorrect name of the building posted previously. This event is in the R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building (ME-EM), which is number 20 on the campus map.