Waldsterben in Neumexiko: Wie erklären wir dies unseren Kindern? (Essay)

Forest decline in New Mexico: what shall we tell the kids? (Essay) Climate change-related drought and higher temperatures may directly or indirectly cause forests to die or to be replaced by another vegetation type. As suggested, among others, by two international scientific articles published in 2010 and 2012, the magnitude of these phenomena may be greater than expected. No matter how relevant these studies are, their potential negative impact on the general public should not be underestimated, in particular if the media overstate or distort the scientists' conclusions. Looking back at the forest decline debate of the 1990s and based on discussions with an American forest ecologist, this article offers positive approaches to communicate to the general public an environmental issue to be taken seriously.