Climate Change

         “Early Spring: Henry Thoreau and Climate Change,” will be exhibited at the Concord Museum through September 15th. This two-gallery exhibit attempts to illustrate the effects of climate change since Thoreau’s time.

         First, a Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory graph of March and April temperatures, dating from 1840 to 2012, indicates an average rise of five-degrees.

         Secondly, Henry David Thoreau’s detailed records dating the first leafing of Concord’s trees and shrubs are shown in a graph drawn by Thoreau. His records dating from 1853 to 1860 provide the starting point for this climate change exhibit.

         Lastly, Dr. Richard Primack’s data for leaf openings dating from 2003 to today are presented. His Boston University biology students have successfully used Concord as a laboratory to explore the effects of climate change.

         All this illustrates Concord’s spring temperatures  rising five degrees over the past 172 years! Concord’s spring flowers now bloom two weeks earlier than they did in Thoreau’s time. Walden Pond’s “Ice Out” date has changed from April 1st to March 17th.

         The exhibit installation includes a fun Soundscape, recordings of nature’s many voices, including croaking and splashing frogs, pelting rain drops, crows cawing, blue jays screeching and of course man’s footsteps.

         The impact of Global Warming gets drowned out in the chaotic cacophony of museum relics. The exhibit is a valiant attempt to address one of the most important issues we face today. It’s worth going just to figure out what the apple peeler is all about!

         The Concord Museum is located at 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA.  For more information phone 978-369-9763 or visit www.ConcordMuseum.org.

         What better way to Celebrate Earth Day 2013 than with a visit to this exhibit, originally named “Early Spring: Phenology & Henry David Thoreau.”