Climate Change

Rising temperatures are amplifying the effects of recent drought on the Colorado River, which plays a key role in the health of national parks such as Canyonlands and Grand Canyon, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report.

Giant sequoias, long viewed as majestic, impervious guardians of the high Sierra, are beginning to struggle with the multi-year stretches of drought, according to research conducted in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks and elsewhere in the Sierra.

President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate change accord is drawing criticism from park advocates and businesses tied to national parks, as well as pledges to reduce carbon footprints and praise for states that are focused on renewable energy.

The changing climate is impacting national park lands in myriad ways, from raising sea levels that will inundate some coastal park units and exposing iconic tree species such as whitebark pines to crippling native and invasive species to altering migration patterns and forest makeup in ways detrimental to wildlife. Regardless of whether you believe climate change is human-driven, change is occurring and impacting the National Park System.