Wyckoff, NJ, USA

What Climate Change Means for New Jersey (Link to EPA document)

• According the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "New Jersey’s climate is changing. The state has warmed by about three degrees Fahrenheit (ºF) in the last century, heavy rainstorms are more frequent, and the sea is rising about one inch every six years. "
• Wyckoff is too far inland to experience a direct effect from sea level rise. However, loss of marshland and other coastal buffer zones could increase the risk of more intense storms. Sea level rise may also affect ground water resources and increase flash flooding after heavy rainfall. Warmer temperatures may increase precipitation during winter and spring, but increase periods of drought during summer and fall.
• Rising temperatures could affect the growing season in Wyckoff making the last freeze date earlier than mid-May and first freeze date later than mid-November. Hotter, drier summers will affect the types of plants that can be grown in Wyckoff. Although temperatures may become more tropical, Wyckoff will still experience the same seasonal patterns of longer daylight periods in the summer and shorter daylight periods in the winter, which will not support tropical vegetation.
• Warmer temperatures throughout the year could lead to increased winter survival of invasive insects and plants allowing the invasive species to out compete native species. The EPA warns of a risk of increased tick populations and Lyme disease from tick bites.
• Warmer summer temperatures may also affect air quality. Pollen counts may be higher. Warmer temperatures could lead to more ground level ozone formation during the summer. Both pollen and ground level ozone prose a health risk for individuals with respiratory disorders, very young children, and the elderly.