By Finnleigh Gould

A hundred LRU students were surveyed, finding that the majority are concerned about climate change’s impact on the winter season.

Photo by Finnleigh Gould

Bella Garlitz, a junior English Education major, Resident Assistant, and Craft Club President taking a survey.

Student respondents gave their general opinions about winter; 51 out of 100 respondents enjoy winter. Some students commented that they did not like snowy winters, and others said that cold and snowy weather was their favorite trait of the season. 

Snow is a trademark of the winter months. The survey asked respondents whether or not snow defines winter. Eighty-nine percent of survey respondents defined snow as a must-have. 

When defining winter, respondents acknowledged seasonal changes. Respondents observed changes in temperature, snow, and general seasonal conditions. Eighty-six La Roche goers answered “YES,” that they have observed changes. Other respondents answered “NO,” and did not continue into the second section of the survey.

Respondents that continued with the survey marked the specific changes that they have observed in recent winters, including this year. Obvious changes among La Roche respondents were temperature and duration. A majority of respondents said that winter has become shorter and warmer.

Forty-three percent said that winter has become longer as opposed to forty-four percent who said that winter has become shorter. Three percent of La Roche respondents left written comments, stating that winter has become neither warmer or cooler, likewise, winter is not longer or shorter. These three respondents said that the seasons have shifted.

For those who have witnessed changes in temperature, seasonal length, or have stated that the seasons are shifting, they shared their concern. Ninety-five out of one hundred respondents completed this question; eighty percent showed concern for the changing temperature and duration of winter.

The next question addressed the reality of climate change. Climate change is a highly polarized topic, in which respondents gave their opinion. The pie chart below portrays the La Roche opinion on whether climate change is real or not.

Climate change is impacting our world, but what about our winter weather specifically? Respondents chose the intensity of climate change’s impact on winter weather on a scale of 1 to 10. The bar graph below illustrates the results.

Building upon previous questions, respondents stated whether they felt that climate change is directly responsible for the changes aforementioned in winter weather. Eighty of ninety respondents agreed that climate change is directly responsible for changing winter weather.