How Does Climate Change Affect Seasonal Weather?
By Amanda Garner
As we experience the coldest winter in the past five years here in Greensboro, many of us may question how climate change affects seasonal weather patterns.
Global warming refers to the rise in global temperatures due to greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. In contrast, climate change encompasses the overall changes in weather patterns resulting from this increase in temperature, including more frequent storms and shifting seasonal behaviors.
Although Greensboro’s weather has trended warmer over the past year, this winter’s freezing temperatures may seem contradictory. According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (2025), “As global temperatures rise, traditional weather patterns, such as the polar vortex, are disrupted. The polar vortex, a known weather phenomenon for several decades, is becoming weaker and less stable. This destabilization allows extremely cold air to move out of the Arctic, causing unseasonable temperature extremes and setting new records in lower latitudes.” As our planet warms, climate patterns are disrupted, leading to new weather phenomena and altering seasonal behaviors.
These changes can impact our daily lives, planting seasons, and our ability to enjoy the outdoors. So, what can we do to combat climate change in our communities?
- Protect and Plant More Trees: Planting trees helps reduce CO2 in our environment. A large tree can produce enough oxygen for about four people, highlighting the need for more trees in our community. For the past 57 years, Greensboro Beautiful has championed the planting of thousands of trees to help maintain a natural environment in North Carolina’s third-largest city. Our tree fund, along with memorial and honor programs, allows us to plant trees locally. When a loved one passes away, trees are planted in the community rather than in distant locations, helping to establish a tree canopy in our neighborhoods. Greensboro Beautiful also advocates for tree planting in suitable locations to prevent destruction and to increase tree coverage in areas that need it most.
- Protect Wetlands and Streams: Greensboro Beautiful promotes stream restoration, litter cleanups, and the protection of our waterways that lead directly to coastal areas. We can help the local environment by refraining from littering and picking up trash when we see it. Organizing neighborhood cleanups can significantly reduce litter that enters our streams and waterways.
- Protect Animal Communities: Restoring native biodiversity is crucial for the health of our ecosystems. Native plants provide essential food and shelter for local wildlife. Creating “natural yards” is becoming a popular trend in environmental conservation, where a portion of your yard supports pollinators and other wildlife. These pollinators play a vital role in the pollination of larger trees and contribute to a diverse ecosystem.
- Consider Alternative Transportation: Biking, busing, walking, or carpooling are excellent ways to reduce our climate impact. Instead of driving alone, consider alternative transportation methods a couple of days a week. Doing so can lead to a cleaner environment and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Greensboro now offers free public transit via the extended Trolley system downtown, making it easier to travel sustainably. Additionally, “This fall, we took an important step forward in North Carolina when Governor Roy Cooper proposed the establishment of the Advanced Clean Trucks program, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions” (SELC 2025). Greensboro Beautiful encourages you to take sustainable travel routes in all aspects of life.
By taking these actions, we can contribute to mitigating climate change and fostering a healthier environment in our communities.