I was talking with a friend the other day. The conversation focused at first on the mundane artifacts of day-to-day living, eventually coming to rest on the weather. Living on the Vineyard provides a front-row seat to a panorama of the constantly changing environs. There are parts of the country where these differences are a bit less apparent. He lives in that kind of place. Being an ardent student of the environment, I mentioned the rising tides I had been noticing for some years now, which prompted him to ask: “Have you really seen any change in the environment?” His question was leading in a way. I could feel his doubt about climate change in how he asked that question.

I have learned over time to address this uncertainty straight on, but with a calm recitation of the facts. By now some 95 per cent of atmospheric scientists will tell you that our global climate is undergoing some degree of change, and depending on where one is that can mean minor, or for some areas, major alteration. We now understand that as the planet responds to humanity’s influence, not all areas are impacted to the same degree. Region by region impacts are seen in a wide spectrum of variability.

In Chilmark, I have noticed a number of things that I believe may be connected to climate change. Driving by the Quitsa Bridge has been an almost daily event for me for more than 35 years. I always look at the height of the tide relative to those docks closest to the landing. For many years the surface of the water exceeded the docks only a very few times per year and usually due to a storm or astronomical event. I find those high tides now occurring a couple of times per month. Shoreline erosion has also accelerated, taking many of the broad, sandy beaches and leaving often nothing more than a very narrow steep ribbon of sand. And finally there is the complete change to the mighty oak woods surrounding my home in Quansoo. Many of the oaks are dying. I suspect a warmer environment leading to insect infestations as well as fungal outbreaks.

Are these outbreaks or tidal variations proof of climate change? I cannot say for sure but I am sure they are happening. If they are symptoms, we cannot ignore them. My favorite metaphor is: If one has a child who is exhibiting a series of symptoms would we do nothing? I seriously doubt it.

We live on an Island. We cannot embrace the luxury of denial. At some point we need to take serious notice of those things that may be perceived as possible symptoms from climate change. In some cases our environment will adjust and rebalance as it has for all of history. In other situations such as with our coastal infrastructure we must begin to act now. I think about the project being planned for the Five Corners area of Vineyard Haven. Is there a component of the planning process that addresses the need to change the elevation or add protection from rising tides? Chilmark also has some very precious and vulnerable areas. Menemsha is a prime example.

I recently read an article about how the major metropolitan areas will consume much of the funding available to adapt infrastructure, which will leave very little funding for the smaller communities’ needs. The Vineyard’s advantage will only be that we are ahead on the planning curve.

In answer to my friend’s comments — yes! I see changes. They are all around us. We only need to take notice with a very open mind. There are symptoms and we need to acknowledge them now.

David Damroth
Chilmark