Local scientists are joining colleagues around the world to raise the alarm about global warming. This page will collect their statements.

• Kurt Smemo, PhD, soil biogeochemist, Holden Arboretum — "The scientific consensus surrounding the existence and causes of global warming leaves little room for debate. Indeed, such consensus is unprecedented in the scientific community..." Read more 
• Brian C. Parsons, Director of Conservation,Holden Arboretum — "This is not the first time Ohio’s forests have been challenged. Ohio has experienced at least four periods of glaciations, with the advancing glaciers forcing plants southward, and the retreating glaciers allowing a northward migration. Approximately 4,000-8,000 years ago, temperatures rose approximately 3-4 degrees F., and Ohio’s forests were forced to retreat east and northward to survive. Deep rooted prairie grasses and forbs that were more able to survive drought moved eastward and brought prairies into Ohio. However, in these previous migration events, climate change occurred gradually, allowing plants to slowly migrate and expand into more compatible habitats. Temperature increases projected to occur in the next 100 years equal all the previous temperature increases since the last glacier left Ohio. This compressed window of time, gives very little time for plant species to respond and become established in more friendly habitats and climate. Unfortunately, some plant species have no where to move." Read more