Parks in peril

Human activity may be the leading cause of climate change in 25 of America’s national parks, according to a report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Rocky Mountain Climate Organization.

The report, “National Parks in Peril,” claims that human activity is the leading threat to wildlife, plants, water and ice in 25 parks that span 22 states. It also outlines 11 climate-related threats, including loss of snow and water, rising seas, more extreme weather, pollution and loss of plants and wildlife.

The report also lays out suggestions for remedies to these threats. Ideas include enacting comprehensive clean-energy legislation, increasing investment in energy efficiency, and accelerating the development of clean-energy technologies.

The report was released just weeks after the introduction of clean-energy and climate legislation in the U.S. Senate.