1st Place, Environmental, Health or Science
2021-22, Division 3, News Writing
By Bella Brown
Update
H. H. Dow HS
Michigan is known for its long and cold winters, but they may be coming to an end.
In recent years Michigan has had fluctuating annual temperatures, resulting in an overall increase in the average temperatures. This warming trend in the region is a result of climate change.
“I do believe that every action that we take has an impact on our environment and we must be mindful of this,” senior and president of Go Green club Sydney Bond said.
Climate change has delayed the beginning of winter weather in Michigan, postponing colder temperatures and snowy weather. With the increase in temperatures, some storm systems produce rain instead of snow. When it does snow, it’s often lighter and later in the season.
Because there are so many variables, and we don’t fully understand the whole picture of how long-term weather factors interact, it’s difficult to say conclusively how climate change may affect Michigan,” Environmental Science teacher Anthony Bauer said. “However, some trends we’ve seen in weather and climate suggest increases in temperature, perhaps extended periods of dry weather, but also the possibility of influxes of more severe weather events which could produce more precipitation at times.”
As stated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Midwest has gotten warmer, with average annual temperatures increasing over the last several decades.
“I think that the planet’s climate is always changing, but human activity over the past couple of centuries has helped to magnify and speed up these changes,” math and Earth Science teacher, Eric Mohr said.
Between 1900 and 2010, the average air temperature increased by more than 1.5°F. Overall, the Great Lakes region has seen a more significant increase in annual average temperatures than the rest of the continental United States. Temperatures are projected to continue increasing across the Midwest, with the most significant increases
in average temperature expected in northern areas.
“I think that our winters have gradually gotten warmer in Michigan, and 30 years ago it would be strange to have no snow on the ground like we do this year,” senior Hope Ridley said.
The increase in average winter temperatures is causing noticeable changes across the Great Lakes region. According to Grist. org, due to climate change, Lake Superior is one of the fastest-warming lakes in the world, and ice cover on the Great Lakes is, on average, 22 percent lower than it was half a century ago. Michigan is not known for sunny, blue skied winter days, and there might be even less sun in the future if climate change continues warming up the Great Lakes. The lakes being warmed could mean more evaporation, lake effect snow and rain, and presumably more clouds for Michigan.
The lake effect is precipitation produced during cooler temperatures when a cold air mass moves across large areas of warmer lake water. When a lake freezes over, that stops water from evaporating from the surface and coming back down as snow or rain, and with less ice, the chance of lake effect snow and rain increases.
“I think anything we can do to help reduce carbon emissions can help, no matter how big or how small,” Bauer said. “A good example is that scientists detected problems in the ozone layer of our atmosphere many years ago and we took steps to reduce emissions of the chlorofluorocarbons that were damaging the atmosphere and creating the Ozone Hole. We are seeing improvements to the ozone layer because of the actions we took many years ago, so I think that’s a good example of how making conscientious changes can make a real difference.”
As stated by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with average January temperatures in the low 30s, even a slight rise in winter temperatures will change lake effect snow into lake effect rainstorms, replacing shoveling the sidewalk with potential flooding while harming Michigan agriculture and overall, changing Michigan culture.
According to NOAA, by 2080, snowfall in the Great Lakes is expected to fall by almost half without dramatic action on climate change. Even under ideal conditions for the environment, snowfall will decrease by more than a quarter. Snow also reflects solar energy, helping regulate year round temperature. Due to climate change, seasonal patterns are shifting, and extreme weather patterns are rising. The overall increase in average temperatures creates more harsh and dramatic weather conditions. As stated by the EPA, Scientific studies indicate that extreme weather events such as heat waves and large storms are likely to become more frequent and intense with climate change. Climate forecasts show that extreme weather patterns will increase through the 21st century.
“Michigan’s weather patterns are becoming more extreme,” Mohr said. We’re experiencing longer stretches of dry weather, followed by longer periods of precipitation. The same seems to be true about temperature swings. Our winters also seem to be feast or famine: either extreme cold or unseasonably warm.”
Whether small things are done like recycling and reusing materials or larger things
like switching to sustainable transportation, it will help make a significant difference.
“We can spread information, support sustainable businesses and not fast fashion (thrift), commit to as much use of renewables as possible, and reduce our plastic usage,” Ridley said. “I have switched to reusable products such as a makeup cloth instead of disposable wipes, reusable water bottles and straws, and purchased school products like office supplies from companies that donate to the planet. I thrift as much as possible and try to not purchase from online websites.”
There are many ways to help reduce climate change and its effects on the environment and there are many small things that can be done that will help make a difference. “I’m an optimist. I think we can change our impacts on the environment if things are done,” Bauer said.
NW-17. Environmental, Health or Science
This story will focus on an environmental, health or science topic. It can be a straight news story or an investigative piece. Submit a PDF of the print page(s) on which the story was published or the URL to the story on an online news site.
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Topic relevant to the school or students and covers health, science or environmental story that is informative
- Sharp, attention-getting lead grabs reader and arouses curiosity
- Shows thorough reporting skills through research and interviewing
- Effective use of facts/quotes from both primary and secondary sources
- Balanced, fair and sensitive presentation
- Sentences, paragraphs of varied length; written clearly, concisely and vividly
- Proper diction/grammar; use of third person