We give thanks as Rudolph and Santa prepare for their global journey of giving. Of course, we wish them all the best in this heroic endeavor. We join in happy measure to celebrate our families, friends, and community. Our ancient tradition of celebration is perfectly adapted to this dark time of year when things are otherwise cold and drear. It gives us a chance to share warmth and cheer.
Of course, Rudolph鈥檚 success depends on many things. What all goes into Rudolph鈥檚 success in this global undertaking? Well, for one thing, Rudolph needs to get around. This is something that he and his reindeer relatives are very good at. Reindeer have their own ancient traditions that include some of the longest seasonal migrations of any species. They migrate up to 3,000 miles to find the right temperatures, snow conditions, lichens, and other food resources to survive.
Many species have ancient traditions of migration, and now that climate change is raising temperatures globally, ALL species of animals -- and plants -- must flee northward and up mountainsides to stay cooler. Sometimes there are barriers that block their way. Highways and other developments can block the path, and in recognition of this, some organizations have begun building 鈥渨ildlife corridors鈥� to reopen the way. In 2006, the Arizona Wildlife Linkages Assessment identified over 150 areas where highways and other developments were blocking the way for species to travel. Highway collisions kill 2 million vertebrates every year across North America. They cause over 47,000 human injuries and more than 440 deaths (ADOT 2021), as well as millions of dollars in vehicle damages.
For those reindeer who can鈥檛 fly, Sweden, Norway, and Finland have built many highway crossings to help them migrate. Banff National Park in Alberta Canada has installed 48 wildlife crossings that help reindeer (known as caribou by North Americans) and many other species. In Arizona we have installed over 50 wildlife corridors that are designed to help a wide variety of species survive.
In Arizona we protect Rudolph鈥檚 friends with wildlife overpasses designed to protect pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, deer, javelina, bighorn sheep, wolves, bear, coatimundi, lynx, elk, bobcat, jaguar, and many other species. Highway undercrossings have been built to protect desert tortoises, tiger rattle snakes, Mexican garter snakes, Gila monsters, badgers, kangaroo rats, leopard frogs, dessert box turtles, giant spotted whiptails, Sonoran Desert toads, Sonoran whipsnakes, and many other species. Riparian corridors and waterways have also been built to protect dwindling populations of our native fish species like Gila topminnow and longfin dace.
What other things affect Rudolph鈥檚 success? In his epic journey, Rudolph brings us fun toys, new clothes, fruits, nuts, drinks, and other good things. So, his success also depends on good growing seasons, good cotton harvests, and good harvests of all sorts. In some parts of the world, harvests are now threatened by climate change. In Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala new levels of drought have hammered harvests to the point that farm workers and others are now also fleeing northward. This drought is now moving into Mexico where only prickly pear had bumper crops in 2024. In Arizona pasture and range productivity are down to 20% of normal. But chin up, Rudolph! Irrigated crops like pecans, peaches, and cotton have remained relatively unaffected.
Of course, Rudolph also needs snow for his sleigh, and we are not seeing it in Arizona. Climate change is causing a snow drought across the southwest and Flagstaff has had very little so far. There is none on the ground now and very little expected for the next month. Maybe we can make snow for Rudolph? Well, we don鈥檛 have much water and even if we did, daily high temperatures are predicted to be in the 40s and 50s for the rest of the winter.
So, how can we help Rudolph with these many climate change challenges? Well, we could work on reducing our carbon emissions. Find tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint at Project Drawdown. Your actions will improve conditions for Rudolph鈥檚 many friends while also improving harvests, restoring snowfall patterns, and lowering winter temperatures. If we鈥檙e all good enough, then hopefully Rudolph won鈥檛 bring us any lumps of coal this year.