Lake's alewife die-off reveals infestation scale

The Burlington Free Press reports that a die-off of fish in Lake Champlain is likely a result of high temperatures during the week of January 6th. The fish, known as alewives, are very sensitive to temperature changes and are known to have "boom and bust fluctuations" in population size. Alewives are "small baitfish native to the Atlantic Ocean" and "were first found in Lake Champlain in 2005." They are considered to pose "a serious threat to the health of the lake"; "are capable of changing the food web"; "could displace native populations of baitfish like rainbow smelt"; and could out compete salmon and trout in the lake.

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Maple sugaring season shortened by climate change

swnewsherald.com reports that a new study released by the University of Vermont found that because of climate change, the "traditional mid-February to April maple sugaring season"now starts "one week early and ends ten days early, with a net loss of three production days." The study also noted that by 2100 "there may no longer be a maple sugar industry in New England."

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Scientists probe mystery of missing algae

The Burlington Free Press reports that on Tuesday, January 9, 2008, Lake Champlain scientists said that they have discovered some clues that may explain why "thick, noxious blue-green algae blooms that have plagued the bay for a decade" failed to appear last summer. Eric Smeltzer, the state government's lead lake scientist who analyzed the lake for "changes in water temperature, transparency, phosphorus concentration and rainfall," believes that low levels of nitrogen may have played a role. Smeltzer emphasized that factors other than nitrogen may have also been important. These other factors might include "warmer water temperatures and an explosion of invasive white perch that eat the microscopic crustaceans that feed on algae." Smetlzer also stressed the importance of curbing the lake's nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.

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Lake researchers issue call to action

The Burlington Free Press reports that on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, Lake Champlain researchers and community members met to discuss the health of Lake Champlain and address next steps to improve water quality. During the meeting individuals debated the need for more research and the need for more action.  Some attendees felt that research results were not being shared with the community. One individual stressed the need to "take scientific information and convert it into policy to better regulate agricultural land uses, wastewater management, stormwater and construction-related runoff." Researchers also identified a need to better understand "what triggers blue-green algae blooms," which farmlands contribute pollution to the lake, and the relationship between water quality and the way currents move water around the lake.

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Classes teach tree stewardship

The Burlington Free Press reports that this February the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program is offering an eight-week training program called The Stewardship of the Urban Landscape (SOUL) that teaches community members about tree identification, biology, planting, maintenance, management, and health. Graduates of the course become tree stewards, volunteers that "use their skills to improve the community's trees and forests." Notably in addition to the course, tree stewards must also complete a 20-hour internship. Kate Forrer, the outreach coordinator for SOUL, said that the program has about 200 graduates that work in communities to categorize trees, assess tree health and pruning status, and identify potential planting sites. Forrer added that although 78-percent of Vermont is forested, poor water and air quality and development threaten the survival of many trees.

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Vermont's Catamount Trail complete

The Manchester Journal reports that Vermont's Catamount Trail is complete, thanks to work by the Catamount Trail Association and The Green Mountain National Forest.  The 300-mile trail, which has been 25 years in the making, now stretches from Quebec to the border of Massachusetts.

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Climate plan would bank on Vermont cachet

The Rutland Herald reports that Governor Douglas' climate plan -- unveiled on November 20th at the University of Vermont -- aims to create a Vermont standard for carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are a way for companies and individuals to offset their carbon emissions by investing in green technologies or practices that lower emissions overall.  Douglas plans to develop the Vermont standard in collaboration with local colleges and a new Center for Climate Change and Waste Reduction that will be housed at the Agency of Natural Resources. In addition, the money generated from the offsets will be used to fund carbon emission cutting programs. Douglas' plan will also promote and coordinate academic research around climate change and fuel alternatives.

Environmentalists around the state argue that Douglas' plan temporarily shelves many of thirty-eight recommendations that the Governor's Commission on Climate Change made.   Notably, the thirty-eight recommendations would cost $5.2 billion over 20 years to implement.

Vermont Governor Announces Next Steps on Climate Change

All American Patriots reports that the Vermont government and the University of Vermont will partner together to develop a strategy to leverage Vermont's environmental research, education, and leadership into the emerging multi-billion carbon credit market.  The partnership will be called the Vermont Climate Collaborative and will also involve players from the Agencies of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Transportation, Commerce and Finance and Administration. Governor Douglas also discussed the findings and recommendations from the Governor's Commission on Climate Change.  The Commission present 38 actionable items such as increasing incentives for clean energy development and working to insulate Vermont's aging buildings. 

Some people were dissatisfied with the governor's plan calling for a greater focus on solid, attainable goals and alternative transportation.

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Update on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 11:48AM by VCF Staff

The Burlington Free Press reports that Governor Douglas hopes that the UVM-Government partnership could spawn research into renewable energy sources and help create an entire economic sector based on green jobs.  Douglas also mentioned that he would like to create a Vermont Green Standard, or a way to put a dollar amoun on the state's carbon credits so that they can be traded. 

VCRD launches statewide forum to address Vermont's future

The Times Argus reports that the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has launched a new two-year statewide forum, the Council on the Future of Vermont (CFV), to encourage all Vermonters to talk about Vermont's future.  Topics to be addressed at the forums include agriculture, the environment, and the government.  Forum attendees hoped that because of its small size, Vermont has a great opportunity to implement and test solutions that can be replicated elsewhere. 

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Car Pools Take Off

The Burlington Free Press reports that the Campus Area Transportation Management Association (CATMA), a nonprofit collaboration among Fletcher Allen Health Care, the University of Vermont, Champlain College, the American Red Cross, and the city of Burlington, operates a carpool registration database that places residents in carpools.  Those enrolled in the program also receive some perks including gas coupons, preferential parking, and monthly drawings to local restaurants. Recently the Burlington Business Association, inspired by the success of CATMA, has started to develop a carpooling program for downtown Burlington.  Notably a study by Vermont Public Interest and Research Group determined that eight-percent of Vermont's car commuters who travel more than 20-miles to work generate roughly 25-percent of the state's commuting-related carbon dioxide emissions. 

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Vermont resorts focused on green skiing

Vermont Public Radio reports that ski resorts in Vermont are worried that climate change is threatening their industry.  In reponse, these resorts are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by using bio-diesel, efficient lighting, and new chairlift motors that consume less energy.  Some resorts have also begun using the heat released by snowmaking compressors to warm buildings.  Notably, Vermont's Snow Bowl is the nation's only ski resort to have gone carbon neutral. 
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Court Roils Auto-Rules Debate

The Wall Street Journal reports that Federal District Judge William K. Sessions III's ruling that Vermont can regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks will play a crucial role in the national debate on global warming and federal fuel-efficiency rules (CAFE standards). The Vermont ruling may also be important in California, where similar litigation is taking place.
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Recent winds are a glimpse of the future

The Burlington Free Press reports that Vermont is very vulnerable to damage from high winds and heavy rains and has been hit by hurricanes, powerful nor'easters, toranadoes, and intense thunderstorms in the past.  Notably, as climate change causes the oceans to warm, hurricanes could better maintain their strength as they follow the East Coast.  In addition, climate change may bring about more hot and humid weather in Vermont which could result in more frequent and severe thunderstorms. 
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Vermont among first states to join national climate registry

The Vermont Guardian reports that along with thirty other states and tribes, Vermont has joined the Climate Registry.  The Climate Registry is an accounting and verification system that will help the state track and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
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