Insiders Advisor
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Stocks
  • World News
  • Business
  • Politics

Insiders Advisor

World News

Early jacaranda bloom sparks debate about climate change in Mexico

by February 26, 2024
February 26, 2024
Early jacaranda bloom sparks debate about climate change in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Every spring, the streets of Mexico’s capital are painted purple with the flowering of thousands of jacaranda trees. Their spectacular colors not only attract the eyes of residents and tourists, but also birds, bees and butterflies that find food and shelter in them.

But this year something changed.

Some jacarandas began blooming in early January, when they normally awaken in spring. The early onset bloom has set off alarm bells among residents and scientists in Mexico City, where the trees have become an iconic, photogenic mainstay of city streets.

Local scientists have begun investigating how widespread the early-bloom phenomenon is, but they point to climate change as the first culprit.

“We’ve always seen the jacaranda beginning to bloom towards the end of March, in spring, when we see the flowers change to violet,” said Constantino Gonzalez, a researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change Research at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

“They are starting to flower in January, February, which is winter, when it is not yet their time,” said the biologist of 48 years.

Mr. Gonzalez explained that in order to draw a correlation between climate change and the early flowering of jacarandas his team needs a representative sample and compare blooms year to year. To do this, he has started to lead a group of young people who are collecting data throughout the city and using satellite imagery.

He noted rising temperatures caused winter in the Mexican capital to end early this year, in mid-January, instead of late March when it is supposed to end.

ADAPTATION
Enthralled by the Japanese cherry trees that cover Washington, D.C. in pink and white every spring, Mexican President Pascual Ortiz (1930-1932) set out to replicate the same landscape in his nation’s capital.

But Tatsugoro Matsumoto, a Japanese landscape architect who settled in Mexico in the late 19th century, told him they would not survive the city’s temperate climate for long, so he advocated for jacarandas, a tropical tree he had learnt about during a brief stay in Peru.

Since then, the tree has become a staple for Mexico City’s nine million inhabitants.

In January alarm spread when users on social networks started to publish photos of flowering jacarandas and began to wonder about the effects of climate change.

“Like never before (…) people have started to say ‘this is serious, it’s real’ and it’s no longer just a polar bear floating adrift’,” said Cristina Ayala, biologist and doctor in Sustainability Sciences.

“It is very good that people are beginning to become aware of what climate change is going to bring to us as urbanites,” she added.

Although they are not native to Mexico, for Ms. Ayala, jacarandas fulfill an important function for the city. They attract more hummingbirds and bees than many native trees, so a change in flowering could lead to a decrease in these populations.

“One would like the jacarandas to bloom all year round, they brighten the city,” said Alex Estrada, a resident of the Mexican capital, while observing a tree that was beginning to turn purple. “But something is not right here: jacarandas in winter?” he wondered. — Reuters

previous post
Zelensky says Russia will try new offensive in Ukraine as early as May
next post
Meta to set up team to counter disinformation, AI abuse in EU elections

Related Posts

US spy chief ‘cannot rule out’ that China...

March 13, 2024

Good sex is secret to Joe Biden’s long...

February 26, 2024

OPEC+ could delay output hike, sources say

November 29, 2024

Japan takes another shot at next-generation H3 rocket...

February 15, 2024

Guilty on all counts, Donald Trump becomes first...

May 31, 2024

Trial begins in Vietnam’s largest, multibillion-dollar financial scam

March 5, 2024

Cuba turns off some of its public lighting...

March 6, 2024

UK’s Cameron to meet Blinken, Trump while pressing...

April 9, 2024

Studio Ghibli founder and Bhutan’s first awardee among...

August 31, 2024

Rice stockpile eyed as Japan PM orders swift...

February 4, 2025

    Fill Out & Get More Relevant News


    Stay ahead of the market and unlock exclusive trading insights & timely news. We value your privacy - your information is secure, and you can unsubscribe anytime. Gain an edge with hand-picked trading opportunities, stay informed with market-moving updates, and learn from expert tips & strategies.

    Latest News

    • Israeli official vows ‘We have more surprises coming up’ for Iran following wave of airstrikes

      June 14, 2025
    • ‘All-in’: GOP lawmakers divided on US involvement as Trump pushes Iran for diplomatic end

      June 14, 2025
    • Democratic lawmakers criticize Israel’s defensive strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites

      June 13, 2025
    • Israel’s drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China’s land grab here: experts

      June 13, 2025
    • Biden-appointed judge thwarts Trump’s attempt to clean house at consumer safety agency

      June 13, 2025
    • Nearly half of Americans back Israeli airstrikes on Iran, poll shows

      June 13, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,261)
    • Politics (5,975)
    • Stocks (904)
    • World News (457)
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: insidersadvisor.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 insidersadvisor.com | All Rights Reserved