climate map
New arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map reflects warmer climate
Wed, 01/08/2007 - 18:46 — NatliaLatest hardiness zones, based on most current temperature data available, suggest up-to-date choices for best trees to plant
Nebraska City, Neb. – Much of the United States has been warmer in recent years, and that affects which trees are right for planting.
Based on the latest comprehensive weather station data, The National Arbor Day Foundation has just released a new 2006 arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map which separates the country into ten different temperature zones to help people select the right trees to plant where they live. read more »
Be sure to have a look at the animated map of changes.
Planting trees is not a very effective way to take CO2 out of the air, since it will eventually be released when the tree dies and rots. Most of the carbon "stored" in leaves will be released very soon, when those leaves are composted. I'm getting a bit tired of the misconception that planting trees can save the climate. Besides, we have cut down lots of trees in the past, and continue to do so... Their wood was either burned immediately or used in buildings that will eventually be demolished (if they haven't been already) and then the wood will be... burned. So forget about planting trees to compensate for CO2 emissions, if that even works. We have a lot of tree planting for compensation of deforestation to do, actually we still have to stop deforestation in tropical areas.
All that said, it is true that trees make cities more energy-efficient. Less need for airconditioning in summer, less need for heating in winter.
And looking at the map of changes in climate zones is scary. Climate change is happening, and it's happening fast.
