By Kylie Valluzzi. Granite State News Collaborative
As New Hampshire experiences its effects — rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and increasingly unpredictable weather — climate change has become a pressing issue in New Hampshire.
Mara Hoplamazian/NHPR
A ten-foot tide in Hampton floods low-lying streets.
As these changes continue, the N.H. Legislature will face important decisions about how to address the impacts of climate change and prepare for the future.
Climate change is reshaping the state’s environment, with significant consequences for the state's economy and daily life. One of the most notable impacts has been warmer winters.
"Our winter season is warming three times faster than the other seasons," said Mary Stampone, New Hampshire state climatologist and professor of geography at the University of New Hampshire. This rapid warming has already led to a decline in snowfall, she said, warning that "a continued decline in snowfall and snow cover are expected."
Those changes pose a threat to New Hampshire’s winter recreation industry, which relies heavily on consistent snowfall. The industry could face significant challenges, potentially affecting the state’s economy and the many communities that depend on winter tourism.
In addition, “climate change is increasing the intensity of severe weather events — things like heat waves and heavy storms," Stampone said. These events are expected to worsen without significant mitigation efforts, she said, making it crucial for the state to address both the causes and effects of climate change.
What has the state done so far?
In response to the growing climate crisis, New Hampshire has begun to update its climate action strategies, and the state Department of Environmental Services is working on a new Climate Action Plan. The last comprehensive Climate Action Plan was completed in 2009, but much has changed since then.
"They came out with the Priority Action Plan this spring, and are working on finalizing that," Stampone said.
A major focus of the new plan will be mitigation, specifically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Stampone said. The state’s 10-year energy plan outlines strategies for lowering emissions and promoting renewable energy sources. These efforts are essential not just for mitigation, but also for minimizing the severity of climate impacts.
New Hampshire is also focusing on adaptation — preparing for the inevitable changes that are already occurring and will continue to unfold. For example, adaptation efforts could include raising road levels or restoring coastal wetlands to protect against increased coastal flooding due to sea level rise and more intense storm surges.
"We have to adapt; we have to invest in adaptation measures, but we also need to consider mitigation measures as well," Stampone said, to lessen the impacts of climate change in the Granite State.
Legislative challenges ahead
Despite these efforts, New Hampshire faces significant legislative challenges in addressing climate change. The state’s political landscape is divided, with varying opinions on the best approach to take, making it even more crucial for voters to stay informed as the new Climate Action Plan takes shape.
The Know Your Vote youth voter guide project was designed, reported and produced by student and young professional journalists from The Clock, Concord Monitor, The Equinox, Granite State News Collaborative, Keene State College, Laconia Daily Sun, Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, Nashua Ink Link, and The Presidency and the Press program at Franklin Pierce University. See the full guide atwww.collaborativenh.org/know-your-vote.