I was saddened to learn while reading National Wildlife Federation’s Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming that my home state of Pennsylvania is due to lose our state flower, the mountain laurel, and our state tree, the eastern hemlock, if we don’t take action on global warming.  As a lifelong gardener, I know how our native plants help give us a cherished sense of place.  The mountain laurel and eastern hemlock really help define Pennsylvania as home for me.

I was also glad to learn that there are solutions to global warming in gardener’s hands.  As the report says:

“Although the predictions for global warming are dire, they are not inevitable.  Just as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects serious consequences if we continue to emit greenhouse gases at the current rate, it also concludes that global warming and its impacts will be significantly lessened if we start now on a path to reduce our global warming pollution.

“As gardeners, we are both guardians and stewards of our environment, and it is important for us to realize that there are many simple and thoughtful ways that we can work with nature to solve the problem.”

To see how your state tree and flower will be affected and to learn more about what you can do in your backyard, your community, and actions for your elected officials, visit Gardener's Guide to Global Warming.