In New England, the fall foliage season is big business. The yearly display brings many thousands of tourists, or "peepers," to the region. However, climate change may be threatening to spoil everyone's fun. 

The leaves change color at this time each year because cooler temperatures cause chlorophyll, the chemical that makes leaves green, to break down. It's not a stretch to think that warmer average temperatures could be negatively impacting this process. Scientists in Vermont are currently studying this process in further detail to see for sure if warmer temperatures are making for sub-par displays. 

Researchers may not have yet reached any scientific conclusions, but many people are saying that the changes are plain to see. The previous four seasons before this one, all warmer than the average, were generally held to be disappointments. While some say that nostalgia and "in my day..." sentiments may be partly behind these feelings, still the general agreement is that something has changed. 

If our planet continues to warm, will colorful fall foliage be a thing of the past? This would not only be a disappointment to all New Englanders, but a major loss in tourism revenue as well. Here's hoping that for the time being, we continue to see the yellows, oranges, and reds of fall.

More info: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/ap/tech/main4475986.shtml

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