Unsually Warm Climate Changes Raise Concerns

by jwrixon | October 2, 2013 9:12 pm

By JESSICA WRIXON

The month of October usually signals the cooler fall season and the changing of leaves, but this year the unusually warm temperatures have people unpacking summer clothes.

Most people are finding that at around 6:00 a.m., when people start to leave their homes and go to work, the temperature outside is from the high 40’s to the low 50’s which is seen to be typical fall morning weather. But in the first week of October, the sun warmed the ground to temperatures that can fluctuate from the high 70’s to the mid 80’s.

“Working for the Department of Public Works in Ridgefield Park, I’m outside all day doing work,” Brian O’Grady, a 24-year-old Ridgefield Park native. He looks forward to the cooler fall months compared to the heat of the summer and the blistering cold of the winter.

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A very colorful October sky after a storm on Oct. 7 PHOTO/Jessica Wrixon

“No matter what part of the town we are working on, it is protocol to wear long pants to avoid injuries. In the morning when we leave it’s freezing cold and by the time the afternoon hits we’re all sweating from the heat,” said O’Grady. “I usually wear a thermal and a sweatshirt in the morning and change into a t-shirt by the afternoon.”

For outside workers such as O’Grady, the recent temperature fluctuation can be a very frustrating since a large majority of their day is spent outside. However, for inside workers, things can be seen a little differently.

“I go into work at 8:00 a.m. and leave around 5:00 p.m., so when I go into work the temperature is a little warmer and when I leave it is a little cooler than the peak of the heat from that day,” said Donna Tirone, 53, who currently lives in River Vale.

“Although the changes in temperature don’t physically affect me, it makes me wonder what is going on with the climate changes and things we can do as a community to try and repair this world we’ve ultimately driven into the ground. It tells me that we need to build a better, safer environment for the future generations to come,” said Tirone.

HOW CAN WE ACCEPT CLIMATE CHANGE?

Causing this strange heat, global warming is becoming a huge concern. Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide and other gasses polluting the atmosphere, trapping the suns rays where the temperature of the Earth gradually increases. According to an organization called the National Resources Defense Council[2], if dangerous gas emissions aren’t lowered or put to a stop, temperatures could increase from 3-9 degrees by the end of the century.

The Environmental Protection Agency[3], a government agency [4]founded in 1970 by Richard Nixon which strongly enforces pollution control, lists [5]numerous ways to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. These means of reducing emissions can range from changing a light bulb in your home to an energy star bulb, reducing, reusing, and recycling, as well as doing something as simple as carpooling to work or school.

According to Accuweather[6], the remaining days of October are going to range from the low 50’s to the high 60’s, occasionally leading into the very low 70’s.

” I didn’t mind the warm October weather, especially since I’m used to working outside during the summer. I am really glad to see the cooler days of October to be able to fully experience the fall season,” said O’Grady.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: http://class1.ramaporecord.org/2013/10/02/unsually-warm-climate-changes-raise-concerns/photo-24/
  2. National Resources Defense Council: http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/f101.asp#1
  3. Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/
  4. government agency : http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/189191/Environmental-Protection-Agency-EPA
  5. lists : http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/
  6. Accuweather: http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/mahwah-nj/07430/october-weather/2192061

Source URL: https://class1.ramaporecord.org/?p=14830