According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) the average number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased over the last 30 years due to a changing climate. Additionally, as our climate changes further these storms may become more intense with greater wind speeds and more intense precipitation.
What will this mean for birds? The recent absence of migratory birds along the Texas Gulf Coast following the habitat destruction caused by Hurricane Ike might be foreshadowing of what's in store for the future. Further loss of migratory stopover habitats due to more frequent and intense tropical hurricane events may mean the loss of many of our neotropical migrant bird species.
You can read more about the devastation of High Island following Hurricane Ike here.
There are some basic things you can do immediately to start countering climate change:
1.) Calculate and reduce your Carbon Footprint
2.) Conduct an energy audit of your home and work to improve its energy efficiency
3.) Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs
4.) Use water wisely around the home and office
5.) Drive Greener & Smarter
6.) Shop Locally by supporting community supported agriculture (CSA's)
7.) Green up your lawn
9.) Plant Trees--urban trees can sequester 772 million tons of carbon annually.
10.) Protect Native Forests--Global forests are predicted to sequester 1-3 Gigatons of carbon annually. Native forest habitats are also important as stopover and breeding habitat for many neotropical migratory bird species.
11.) Protect and Restore Habitats--Restoring degraded habitats can potentially increase the amount of habitat available for migratory and breeding birds.
12.) Help monitor birds through Citizen Science projects.
13.) Consider voluntourism for your next vacation--rather than taking a typical carbon-intensive birding trip, consider volunteering somewhere to help restore bird habitats. It could be your favorite local birding sites or a favorite birding destination, like locations along the Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
