Who Will Win Enfield's Election?

Image
  A sign at October’s “No Kings” rally in Enfield captures a growing frustration across party lines that may help explain the town’s political shift: “Left or Right, We All See Wrong.” Unaffiliated voters now make up 44 percent of Enfield’s electorate. Photo by author. We don't conduct polls in Enfield, so it's hard to tell what motivates voters. Here’s a non-scientific look—a reporter's take based on registration data and recent history. Overall Election Outlook The outlook for this election remains genuinely uncertain. While the registration numbers point in multiple directions, recent history reminds us that Enfield voters are willing to surprise us. The Biggest Story: Unaffiliated Voters Widen Their Lead The main trend in Enfield isn't about Democrats or Republicans—it's unaffiliated voters solidifying their dominance. Their registrations grew 38% in ten years, from 8,695 in 2015 to 12,034. That's 3,339 new voters—exceeding both parties' combined growth...
Post a Comment

Climate change impacts in Connecticut




I can imagine mowing my lawn by next weekend, which seems early. Already the weeds are racing ahead. This is not surprising.

Temperatures in Connecticut have increased 2.8 degrees since 1970. Our average annual temp that year was about 48, it's now nearing 51. This coincides with a dramatic rise in CO2.

In 1970, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere was at 325 ppm; it's now at about 410 ppm. Pre-industrial was 280 ppm. 

Connecticut is ranked 10th among fastest warming states by Climate Central. Alaska is first.

I'm not entirely sure why Connecticut, along with Rhode Island and Vermont, are seeing faster temperature rises.

Clearly, we're seeing an increase in extreme weather in the U.S., which includes fires. We have been fairly lucky so far in Connecticut.

It's hard to know for sure what climate change will mean for Connecticut specifically. But a 3 degree increase since 1970 does not bode well. We're doing nothing globally to address the problem, and CO2 emissions are accelerating with economic growth. The New York Times recently described the increases in carbon as a speeding freight train. 

In Enfield, we will likely hear lawn mower engines by next weekend. It will seem that all is normal, but what we once considered normal is disappearing and rapidly. 

Comments

Post a Comment