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Climate and the crowds at national parks

NOAA Climate.gov: “In 2014, America’s national parks hosted a record-breaking 292.8 million visits, breaking the previous record of 287.1 million visits set in 1999.  According to a recent study, warming temperatures will attract even more visitors to most national parks in coming decades. The change could both increase economic opportunities and put stress on park staff, facilities, and natural and cultural resources. Researchers considered the relationship between historical long-term temperature averages and park visitation numbers, identified parks where visits were influenced by temperature, and used these data and projected greenhouse gas concentrations* to estimate future park visitation. Overall, warming temperatures are projected to increase total annual visits to most parks. Some parks in the lower latitudes are projected to welcome fewer visitors in the future, but no less than 80 percent of the historical average…”

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