Climate

Climate

At its core, climate simply indicates "any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time" (EPA,2016). Global climate is often spoken of in tandem with global warming, which refers to the recent warming trends in the average temperature of the Earth.

Fact sheets on climate, written for the general public:

• the science of global climate
• climate impacts in New York
• agriculture, carbon and greenhouse gases
• farming success in an uncertain climate

Daily Precipitation Maps This map represents daily precipitation derived from National Weather Service (NWS) radar data using the methods of DeGaetano and Wilks (2009). These maps are updated at 10:45am, 2:45pm and 4:45pm for the current day and redrawn at 1:30pm daily for each of the previous seven days. 

Monthly Precipitation Map This map represents ACIS climate data interpolated to a 5km by 5km grid. Additional information about ACIS can be found on the ACIS web page. These maps are created at 7:00 am on the 3rd day after the end of each month and updated several times during the course of the month as additional data become available.

Gardening in a Warming World Gardeners are keen observers of what is required to grow healthy plants of all types and sizes. New strategies and solutions to the problems presented by cultivating living things are often contemplative acts. These actions will hold gardeners in good stead as we face climate– an unprecedented phenomenon that amplifies all those conditions that can make or break our gardening success. Deep reflection on our strategies in tending our lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables will be required to manage and adapt to this latest – and biggest – challenge.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer network is working to strengthen understanding and inspire us to take actions in our gardens and communities that will help address the global crisis of climate. Supporting this effort, we produced this curriculum for gardeners, homeowners, educators, volunteers, teachers, students and anyone interested in exploring how we might examine our gardening practice through the lens of climate mitigation and adaptation.

Last updated April 18, 2025