Climate Change or Mother Nature’s Cycles?
The winter of 2010/2011 was relatively mild compared to what we are used to here in West Central Missouri. Lower snow totals, fewer ice storms and fewer subzero cold snaps. That translated inot a very cold, very wet spring that put planting way behind. We got so backed up on planting, in fact, that most crops went in very late and several crops didn’t even make it into the ground at all. The summer turned into a very dry, extremely hot season that put more difficulties on growing crops. We farmers just adjusted our crop plans as we went along and shifted our planting and harvesting times accordingly.
This winter and the upcoming season seem to be shaping up the same way. The weather has been downright balmy off and on this winter, we’ve had no snow to speak of and very little in moisture overall. I have a feeling this is, again, going to translate into a cold, wet spring and an extremely hot and dry summer. We can plan for this and have contingency plans in place for our early spring crops; more planting in the greenhouse, cold frames, row covers, etc. Let’s just hope it’s not too wet to work the ground. If it is, it just may mean a later harvest than what we’ve been used to. But all the veggies will come in eventually, like they always do.
So, is this the massive climate change everyone is talking about or is this just Mother Nature’s natural cycle? As farmers we make it a habit to watch the natural cycles of the weather. We notice the smallest things that can give us a hint as to what the weather will look like. I and my friend Terrie Shepherd, from Butterfly Fields Nursery, noticed early on last fall that we would have a long fall and mild winter based on the color changes (or lack thereof) in the wooly caterpillars. (Really, it works – we haven’t been wrong yet.)
Many weather forcasters have their own way of determining how the seasons will set up for us. If you listen closely to many of these you will hear them talk of systems and patterns. It’s the only way they can predict what’s coming. So, if farmers notice these cycles and weather folks notice these cycles, why does it seem others are up in arms that our climate is dramatically changing because of something we as a society have done?
Global warming theories aside, I think too much emphasis is being placed on this supposed “climate change.” Yes, our climate is changing. Yes, areas of warmth are getting cooler, and some areas of cold are getting warmer. But if you look back to ancient history you can see this pattern repeat itself time and time again. Perhaps it’s the rotation of our planet in alignment with our sun. Perhaps it’s just Mother Nature evening out the playing field a little bit and allowing each ecosystem to evolve once again. Who knows?
Should we try to protect our earth and keep all this garbage, waste, chemicals and other such nonsense out of our ecosystem? Absolutely, Should we panic that the world is coming to an end? Not hardly. Just like farmers, we just have to prepare for what’s to come next and be flexible with whatever Mother Nature has in store.
