Each year, people look forward to fall for one big reason: the leaves. The picturesque red, yellow, and purple make the transition into winter bearable, and signal the beginning of the holidays. Recently, however, it feels like fall has lost all of its warmth and color, losing the magical experience of the season. Scientists have pointed out that climate change is to blame, which is slowly changing the most beautiful part of the year.
To begin, how does climate change play a role in the color changes we see in leaves? Well, when fall begins, cooler temperatures and shorter days signal trees to stop producing chlorophyll, which is the green pigment that helps plants make food through photosynthesis. As that green fades, other pigments like carotenoids, which make yellow and orange, and anthocyanins, which make red and purple, become visible. However, when the temperature stays warmer for a longer time, this process gets delayed. If it remains too warm into the season, trees continue to make chlorophyll, and those bright colors arrive much later, if at all. The leaves instead turn brown, leaving the season feeling entirely empty.
This change not only affects how the trees look, but it also impacts the environment around them. When leaves cease to change color, it confuses the animals that depend on that change as well. For example, birds, squirrels, and other creatures rely on natural cues to know when to migrate, hibernate, and gather enough food for the winter. If trees change late, or don’t change at all, animals get confused about when to move or prepare for colder weather. Trees, like animals, have natural cycles that help them survive during the winter. When fall arrives and temperatures drop, trees begin preparing for winter by slowing down chlorophyll production, and shed leaves to conserve water and energy. This period is called dormancy, when trees rest in order to prepare for the winter. When temperatures stay warm, and trees don’t receive this dormancy period, they can be weaker and more likely to be damaged by the harsh snow or ice. The simple change of a burst of color during the fall can drastically impact our entire environment.
Some areas are feeling this problem more than others. In New England, where it’s known for the breathtaking leaves and fall scenery, is already affected by the warm temperatures. States like Vermont and Maine rely heavily on fall tourism, and when the colors become dull or don’t appear, fewer tourists visit, hurting small businesses. Furthermore, The Appalachian Mountains and parts of the Midwest are experiencing shorter and less intense fall periods. Out west, the wildfires caused by increasing temperatures are killing trees altogether, leaving gray hillsides instead of beautiful forests.
Scientists predict that if global temperatures continue to rise, fall could become even shorter and less vibrant in the coming years. Some species, like the sugar maples, which are known for their scenic red leaves, may become extinct from certain regions because of the increase in temperature. While this problem, directly correlated with climate change, can’t stop immediately, people can still make a step in the right direction. Reducing pollution, planting more native trees, and being more involved in protecting our forests can make a huge difference. The simpler things, such as taking shorter showers, or remembering to turn off the lights, can reduce the amount of carbon that is released into the atmosphere.
Fall used to be a comfy and relaxing transition into the harsh winter, a celebration of the color in the world before it turns to gray. Now, that transition becomes shorter and shorter each year, until it eventually ceases to exist. In order to keep that comfy feeling of fall alive for as long as possible, that motive starts with taking care of our planet.