Climate Change
Global warming hurts natural resource-based income
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Overview
Vermonters and out-of-state visitors alike spend time and money enjoying the state’s natural resources—accounting for a significant portion of Vermont’s economy. This nature-based income primarily comes from foliage tours, skiing and other snow sports, camping, and maple sugaring. In spite of Vermont’s best intentions for its natural assets, human activities within and outside of the state have led to global warming, which threatens Vermont’s natural resources and economy in some very real, near-term ways.
Fast Facts
- Snowfall in Vermont has decreased 15% since the 1950s, straining the state’s $1.4 billion per year ski industry. When ski resorts compensate by generating their own snow, groundwater supplies are diminished and native plants are harmed.
- Foliage tourism accounts for 20% to 25% of all Vermont tourism. But warmer temperatures are already beginning to drive out native tree species like the sugar maple.
- Maple sugaring, as a pastime and a product export, generated more than $13 million for Vermonters in 2000 alone. Warmer springs could shorten the sugaring season, reducing the number of cold nights with warm days that sap requires to flow. Maple syrup production has been in steady decline since the 1960s.
Read more about climate change in Understanding Vermont or get a copy of the entire publication.