Tom Cervone, Ph.D., Maureen Houlihan, DC., Nicole Cervone-Gish, and Michael Cervone
Our Planet Earth
Author’s note: This website encourages, inspires, and informs all children of God to act in Care for Our Planet Earth.
Introduction
Have you ever thought why it is necessary that the winter season be so cold, and why some people are taking steps to protect it? The Climate Reality Project has studied why we need winter, and Protect Our Winters (POW) is actively trying to protect it.
Winter is so important for plants and animals to rest or go into dormancy which is an important part of their normal life cycle. But with climate change, we’re experiencing winters that are warmer and shorter affecting so many aspects of life as reported by POW. So what does all of this mean?
If the ground or air isn’t cold enough for a sufficient amount of time in winter, science writer David Cox (British Broadcasting Corporation, September 26, 2024) reported a warmer and sicker world could result with mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases across the United States. In his report, he said, “West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, malaria, and dengue are gaining new ground in the United States. The mosquitoes that carry these diseases are thriving in a warming world.”
Sadie Ryan found that warmer temperatures have led to extended mosquito breeding periods, and a corresponding increase in disease outbreaks transmitted by the insects associated with climate change. “An Aedes mosquito can lay 200 eggs in a coke bottle cap. That's why you should worry about little bits of trash with a bit of water building up in them,” says Sadie Ryan. In 2021, Stanford pediatrician and arbovirologist Desiree LaBeaud and her colleagues launched the nonprofit organization HERI-Kenya to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Kenya by cleaning up the plastic waste where the insect breed.
With warming temperatures, climate change increases the frequency and intensity of flooding which causes an increase in breeding habitat for mosquitoes. So too does humidity, urbanization, and movement of people around the world spread mosquito populations. Winter doesn't kill all mosquitoes, but it does cause some to become inactive or die. Quiescence occurs in some adult mosquitoes in winter when adult populations die, but eggs remain dormant until they’re activated by warming temperatures.
In winter, snow and ice are very important too. With both, there is more solar radiation reflected from the Earth, and they both give valuable water for drinking purposes. Continental and alpine glaciers are today melting causing the sea level to rise and the permafrost to melt. Winter is needed to maintain glaciers, permafrost, streams, and springs that can flow year-round, regardless of plunging temperatures and thick ice on streams.
POW, founded by the legendary American snowboarder Jeremy Jones, speaks about how the last two years has averaged the warmest in history. His youtube film Purple Mountains speaks about the benefits from snow and ice in the winter. The main theme of POW is to mobilize outdoor enthusiasts to advocate for climate change policies that protect places and experiences they love, like skiing, snowboarding, and ice fishing. They want to use their passion for outdoor activities to drive climate action by way of outdoor recreation, policy advocacy, athletes leading the movement, and community building processes.
What Can You Do?
Join/Support POW - Phone: 303-900-4027 or mail 1919 14th Street, Suite 700, Boulder, CO 80302. According to Charity Navigator, they have a charity rating of 91 out of 100.
Support - Leadership to recognize a need to reduce non-renewable and advance renewable energies.
Support the Inflation Reduction Act - Protect the funding for this important legislation that has and will help support an ecological balance in our world.
Educational Video on Winter:
Quote:
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” — Edith Sitwell
Tom Cervone, Ph.D. is a deacon, ecologist, and member of Seton Harvest and Sycamore Land Trust. Sister Maureen Houlihan D.C. is a member of the “Care of Earth” Committee of the Daughters of Charity and Seton Harvest. Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. MS. is a teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School. Michael Cervone, BS. is a website designer.
Comments may be directed to ourplanetearth.eco@gmail.com Thank you!