September 21, 2001

Northern latitudes greener

Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — Scientists say satellite data shows the Earth’s northern hemisphere is greener now than it was 20 years ago, with denser vegetation and longer growing seasons.

During the past 20 years the growing season above 40 degrees North latitude has lengthened 18 days in Eurasia and 12 in North America, says a statement released last week by scientists with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the American Geophysical Union and Boston University.

North of 40 degrees, plants appear to have grown more vigorously since 1981.

Eurasia, including Siberia and the Russian Far East, seems to be greening more than North America, gaining more lush vegetation for longer periods of time.

The scientists say rising temperatures, possibly due to greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, may be responsible for these changes.