Future Federal Adaptation Efforts Could Better Support Local Infrastructure Decision Makers

Future Federal Adaptation Efforts Could Better Support Local Infrastructure Decision Makers - "GAO's report identifies several emerging federal efforts under way to facilitate more informed adaptation decisions, but these efforts could better support the needs of local infrastructure decision makers in the future, according to studies, local decision makers at the sites GAO visited, and other stakeholders. For example, among its key efforts, the federal government plays a critical role in producing the information needed to facilitate more informed local infrastructure adaptation decisions. However, as noted by NRC studies, this information exists in an uncoordinated confederation of networks and institutions, and the end result of it not being easily accessible is that people may make decisions--or choose not to act--without it. Accordingly, a range of studies and local decision makers GAO interviewed cited the need for the federal government to improve local decision makers' access to the best available information to use in infrastructure planning." (Published April 12, 2013)
Source: United States. Government Accountability Office
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation /
(Posted May 20, 2013)

Ice melt, sea level rise, to be less severe than feared: study

Ice melt, sea level rise, to be less severe than feared: study (Published May 14, 2013)
Source: Reuters
Climate Change Topics: Sea and Polar ice / Sea level rise /
(Posted May 17, 2013)

Atlantic Coast Warping Like a 'Magic Carpet'

Atlantic Coast Warping Like a 'Magic Carpet' (Published May 16, 2013)
Source: Science magazine
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted May 17, 2013)

Earth's mantle affects estimates of sea level rise

Earth's mantle affects estimates of sea level rise (Published May 16, 2013)
Source: NBC News
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted May 17, 2013)

Melting glaciers are causing almost a third of sea-level rise, scientists say

Melting glaciers are causing almost a third of sea-level rise, scientists say (Published May 17, 2013)
Source: NBC News
Climate Change Topics: Sea and Polar ice / Sea level rise /
(Posted May 17, 2013)

NASA Helps Pinpoint Glaciers' Role in Sea Level Rise

NASA Helps Pinpoint Glaciers' Role in Sea Level Rise (Published May 16, 2013)
Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Climate Change Topics: Sea and Polar ice / Sea level rise /
(Posted May 16, 2013)

Major U.S. Cities Are at Risk for Climate-Related Water Shortage: Report

Major U.S. Cities Are at Risk for Climate-Related Water Shortage: Report
Related Link: http://growingblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/GB_CWC_whitepaper_climate-water-stress_final.pdf
(Published May 16, 2013)
Source: Bloomberg BNA
Climate Change Topics: Drought / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted May 16, 2013)

For Insurers, No Doubts on Climate Change

For Insurers, No Doubts on Climate Change (Published May 15, 2013)
Source: New York Times
Climate Change Topics: Sea-Level and Flood Risks: FEMA or Insurance Industry Responses / Water-Supply Related Risks: Insurance Industry Responses /
(Posted May 16, 2013)

Could Supreme Court stall climate change regulations?

Could Supreme Court stall climate change regulations? (Published May 16, 2013)
Source: Reuters
Climate Change Topics: Federal Regulations, EPA, Clean Air Act / Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation /
(Posted May 16, 2013)

'Best estimate' for impact of melting ice on sea level rise

'Best estimate' for impact of melting ice on sea level rise
Related Link: http://www.ice2sea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/From_Ice_to_High_Seas.pdf
(Published May 14, 2013)
Source: BBC
Climate Change Topics: Sea and Polar ice / Sea level rise /
(Posted May 15, 2013)

From Ice to High Seas

From Ice to High Seas - European scientists attempt to quantify the amount of sea-level rise attributable to ice melt. "The ice2sea projections based on simulations of physical processes suggest lower overall contributions from melting ice to sea-level rise than many studies published since AR4. They suggest a contribution of 3.5 - 36.8cm to global mean sea-level rise to the year 2100 for a 'business as usual' mid-range emissions scenario (A1B). To obtain a projection of total global sea-level rise, other contributions, not explicitly addressed by ice2sea, must be added (e.g. thermal expansion of the oceans, and changes in terrestrial water storage). For the period after 2100, sea levels will continue to rise, initially at an accelerating rate, for many centuries." (Ice2Sea) (Published May 1, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Sea and Polar ice / Sea level rise /
(Posted May 15, 2013)

America's Water Risk: Water Stress and Climate Variability

America's Water Risk: Water Stress and Climate Variability - "By utilizing a new water research metric called the Normalized Deficit Cumulated (NDC) index in the America's Water Risk: Water Stress and Climate Variability study, Columbia was able to estimate measures of water risk to the nation's major cities and agricultural regions. Columbia developed the NDC as a risk metric for evaluating historical periods of drought, using more than 60 years of precipitation and the current water use pattern for U.S. counties. As a result, the NDC measurement tool reveals a more accurate depiction of the discrepancy between water use and water availability." (Columbia Water Center, Columbia University) (Published May 15, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Drought / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted May 15, 2013)

Rebuilding After Sandy, but With Costly New Rules

Rebuilding After Sandy, but With Costly New Rules (Published May 11, 2013)
Source: New York Times
Climate Change Topics: Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea-Level and Flood Risks: FEMA or Insurance Industry Responses /
(Posted May 13, 2013)

Common plants, animals threatened by climate change, study says

Common plants, animals threatened by climate change, study says (Published May 12, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Ecosystems, Habitat, Threatened Species /
(Posted May 13, 2013)

Climate Milestone: Earth's CO2 Level Passes 400 ppm

Climate Milestone: Earth's CO2 Level Passes 400 ppm (Published May 9, 2013)
Source: National Geographic
Climate Change Topics: Greenhouse gas (GHG) increases /
(Posted May 13, 2013)

Tapped Out: How Will Cities Secure Their Water Future?

Tapped Out: How Will Cities Secure Their Water Future?
Related Link: http://www.iwaponline.com/wp/01503/wp015030335.htm
(Published May 8, 2013)
Source: National Geographic
Climate Change Topics: Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted May 13, 2013)

Downscaled CMIP3 and CMIP5 Climate and Hydrology Projections

Downscaled CMIP3 and CMIP5 Climate and Hydrology Projections - Projections of precipitation, minimum and maximum surface air temperature for 1950-2099 for the Western U.S. (Published May 7, 2013)
Source: United States. Bureau of Reclamation
Climate Change Topics: Models and Tools / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Temperature / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted May 13, 2013)

Bureau of Reclamation Releases Updated Climate Data for Water Managers

Bureau of Reclamation Releases Updated Climate Data for Water Managers
Related Link: http://gdo-dcp.ucllnl.org/downscaled_cmip_projections/
(Published May 9, 2013)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Climate Change Topics: Models and Tools / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Temperature / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted May 10, 2013)

Interior Appoints New Climate Change Advisory Committee

Interior Appoints New Climate Change Advisory Committee (Published May 8, 2013)
Source: U.S. Dept. of the Interior
Climate Change Topics: Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted May 9, 2013)

Valley must adapt to impacts of climate change (Editorial)

Valley must adapt to impacts of climate change (Editorial) (Published May 8, 2013)
Source: Fresno Bee
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Temperature / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / California: Statewide /
(Posted May 8, 2013)

Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds (External Review Draft)

Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds (External Review Draft) - "Watershed modeling was conducted in 20 large, U.S. watersheds to assess the sensitivity of streamflow, nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus), and sediment loading to a range of plausible mid-21st Century climate change and urban development scenarios in different regions of the nation. This draft report provides a summary of simulation results. The model simulations characterize the sensitivity of streamflow, nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus), and sediment loading to a range of plausible mid-21st Century climate change and urban development. Results show a high degree of variability in the response throughout the nation. Results also provide an improved understanding of methodological challenges associated with integrating existing tools and datasets to address these scientific questions. This provides guidance for improving how existing models and datasets can be used for assessing climate change impacts on watersheds." (Published March 1, 2013)
Source: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Topics: Streamflow / Water quality /
(Posted May 7, 2013)

Dry winters, fires, low reservoirs -- prep yourself for the 'new normal' (Editorial)

Dry winters, fires, low reservoirs -- prep yourself for the 'new normal' (Editorial) (Published May 5, 2013)
Source: Sacramento Bee
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / California: Statewide / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Wildfires /
(Posted May 6, 2013)

Climate change may bring drought to temperate areas, study says

Climate change may bring drought to temperate areas, study says (Published May 5, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Drought / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted May 6, 2013)

Key Issues for Seawater Desalination in California: Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Key Issues for Seawater Desalination in California: Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Desalination may increase water reliability, but may lead to risks of higher energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, report concludes. (May 2013) (Published May 1, 2013)
Source: Pacific Institute
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Energy management and conservation / Greenhouse gas (GHG) increases /
(Posted May 1, 2013)

Prioritizing Tidal Marsh Conservation and Restoration Efforts in the Face of High Uncertainty Due to Future Environmental Change

Prioritizing Tidal Marsh Conservation and Restoration Efforts in the Face of High Uncertainty Due to Future Environmental Change - Presentation by Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Apr. 2013 (Published April 30, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Ecosystems, Habitat, Threatened Species /
(Posted May 1, 2013)

Convicted Renewable Fuel Fraudster Heading to Prison

Convicted Renewable Fuel Fraudster Heading to Prison (Published February 25, 2013)
Source: KCET-TV (Los Angeles)
Climate Change Topics: Renewable energy /
(Posted April 30, 2013)

Department of Defense FY 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap

Department of Defense FY 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap - Considers various effects that climate change would have on defense and the military. (Published September 19, 2012)
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Temperature /
(Posted April 30, 2013)

Scientists Advocate a Simple, Affordable and Accurate Technology to Identify Threats from Sea-Level Rise

Scientists Advocate a Simple, Affordable and Accurate Technology to Identify Threats from Sea-Level Rise (Published April 25, 2013)
Source: Science Daily
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted April 26, 2013)

Washington, D.C. under water: what sea level rise looks like

Washington, D.C. under water: what sea level rise looks like (Published April 25, 2013)
Source: Washington Post
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted April 26, 2013)

Grappling with Rising Tides

Grappling with Rising Tides (Published April 26, 2013)
Source: KQED Radio
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Sea level rise /
(Posted April 26, 2013)

Climate change did not cause 2012 US drought, says government report

Climate change did not cause 2012 US drought, says government report (Published April 24, 2013)
Source: Environmental Research Web
Climate Change Topics: Drought /
(Posted April 24, 2013)

Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States

Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States - "[T]he report blends the contributions of 120 experts in climate science, economics, ecology, engineering, geography, hydrology, planning, resource management, and other disciplines to provide the most comprehensive, and understandable, analysis to date about climate and its effects on the people and landscapes of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah -- including the U.S.-Mexico border region and the lands of Native Nations. What is the climate of the Southwest like today? What has it been like in the past, and how is it projected to change over the 21st century? How will that affect water resources, ecosystems, agricultural production, energy supply and delivery, transportation, human health, and a host of other areas? How vulnerable is the region to climate change? What else do we need to know about it, and how can we limit its adverse effects? This report addresses these and other questions, offering decision makers and stakeholders a substantial basis from which to make informed choices that will affect the well-being of the region's inhabitants in the decades to come." (Part of the third National Climate Assessment, Apr. 2013) (Published April 21, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Agriculture / Drought / Energy management and conservation / Flooding / Global issues, human impacts / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Streamflow / Temperature / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Wildfires /
(Posted April 24, 2013)

Getting Climate Smart: A Water Preparedness Guide for State Action

Getting Climate Smart: A Water Preparedness Guide for State Action - "Our hope is that a single volume that brings together practical guidance, planning tools, case studies and information resources will encourage state officials to take on climate change preparedness. No one needs to start from scratch. There is knowledge and experience on which to draw; there are models on which to build. While the federal government has an important part to play, it is state and local governments that take the lead roles in water resources management. They must lead the way on climate preparedness as well." (Published April 19, 2013)
Source: Natural Resources Defense Council
Climate Change Topics: Agriculture / Ecosystems, Habitat, Threatened Species / Sea level rise / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted April 24, 2013)

Permeable pavements could cool cities and help prevent flooding

Permeable pavements could cool cities and help prevent flooding (Published April 23, 2013)
Source: Environmental Research Web
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Flooding / Temperature /
(Posted April 23, 2013)

Review of the Draft 2013 National Climate Assessment

Review of the Draft 2013 National Climate Assessment - "Given the current state of the science and the scope of resources available, we believe the NCA did a reasonable job of fulfilling its charge overall. Although more needs to be done to fully meet the nation's needs for information and guidance, such needs cannot be met without an expanded research effort on the part of the USGCRP and future assessments. "The Panel suggests that the NCA report would be improved by addressing the numerous specific problems and concerns and the more cross-cutting issues raised in the consensus answers to the Task Statement questions—which include, for instance, the need to: "1. provide a clear overarching framework for the report that helps readers understand climate change as part of a complex system with interacting physical, biological, and human social/economic dimensions, and offers practical guidance on using iterative risk management strategies to make decisions in the face of large uncertainties; "2. clearly acknowledge how climate change affects and is affected by other types of major global environmental changes and other societal developments; "3. offer an explicit discussion about the uncertainties associated with the regional model projections presented in the NCA draft; "4. take full advantage of the e-book format planned for this document through strategic use of hyperlinks among different parts of the report and other innovative approaches that help guide the experience of the NCA's diverse audiences." (Published April 15, 2013)
Source: National Academies
Climate Change Topics: Global issues, human impacts / Research /
(Posted April 23, 2013)

Defining and Enhancing the Safe Yield of a Multi-Use, Multi-Reservoir Water Supply

Defining and Enhancing the Safe Yield of a Multi-Use, Multi-Reservoir Water Supply - "Investigate(s) opportunities for optimal long range supply planning opportunities in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, which includes multiple reservoirs and water supplies for Duke Power and 18 drinking water utilities near Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Evaluate(s) potential financial, environmental, and public impacts of selected strategies including an approach for integrating the impacts of population growth and potential future droughts in the region." (Published April 19, 2013)
Source: Water Research Foundation
Climate Change Topics: Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted April 22, 2013)

Insight: sea-level tipping points affect groundwater quality near coast

Insight: sea-level tipping points affect groundwater quality near coast (Published April 16, 2013)
Source: Environmental Research Web
Climate Change Topics: Groundwater / Sea level rise / Water quality /
(Posted April 17, 2013)

Highest rates of projected warming are unlikely

Highest rates of projected warming are unlikely (Published April 17, 2013)
Source: Environmental Research Web
Climate Change Topics: Research / Temperature /
(Posted April 17, 2013)

New Lawsuit Asks Court to Say Cap-and-Trade Is Unconstitutional (1:23 audio)

New Lawsuit Asks Court to Say Cap-and-Trade Is Unconstitutional (1:23 audio) (Published April 17, 2013)
Source: KQED Radio
Climate Change Topics: AB 32 / California: Statewide / Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation /
(Posted April 17, 2013)

Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Reduction Might Slow Down Sea Level Rise, New Study Shows

Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Reduction Might Slow Down Sea Level Rise, New Study Shows (Published April 14, 2013)
Source: Huffington Post
Climate Change Topics: Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation / Sea level rise /
(Posted April 17, 2013)

AWWA comments on the draft National Climate Assessment

AWWA comments on the draft National Climate Assessment (Published April 12, 2013)
Source: American Water Works Association
Climate Change Topics: Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted April 12, 2013)

New Visions, Smart Choices: Western Water Security in a Changing Climate

New Visions, Smart Choices: Western Water Security in a Changing Climate - The report covers "successful, sustainable and economically sensible steps ten communities are taking to make sure they will have water in the decades to come." (Carpe Diem West) (Published March 26, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted April 12, 2013)

Tools for Coastal Climate Adaptation Planning

Tools for Coastal Climate Adaptation Planning - Report aims "to provide the information necessary for coastal natural resource managers and community planners to select appropriate tools for their projects." (NatureServe) (Published March 13, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Land Use, environmental management systems, and regulation / Models and Tools / Sea level rise /
(Posted April 12, 2013)

Climate Data Guide

Climate Data Guide - Links to climate data sources with experts' evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses. (National Center for Atmospheric Research) (Published )
Climate Change Topics: Models and Tools / Research /
(Posted April 12, 2013)

Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) and Climate Change

Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) and Climate Change - "Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) is the greatest accumulation of precipitation for a given duration meteorologically possible for an area. Climate change effects on PMP are analyzed, in particular, maximization of moisture and persistent upward motion, using both climate model simulations and conceptual models of relevant meteorological systems. Climate model simulations indicate a substantial future increase in mean and maximum water vapor concentrations. For the RCP8.5 scenario, the changes in maximum values for the continental United States are approximately 20-30% by 2071-2100. The magnitudes of the maximum water vapor changes follow temperature changes with an approximate Clausius-Clapeyron relationship. Model-simulated changes in maximum vertical and horizontal winds are too small to offset water vapor changes. Thus, our conclusion is that the most scientifically sound projection is that PMP values will increase in the future due to higher levels of atmospheric moisture content and consequent higher levels of moisture transport into storms." (Kunkel, k., et al., 2013, Geophysical Research Letters) (Published March 12, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Precipitation, Extreme Weather /
(Posted April 11, 2013)

Brown wants California's carbon market to link with Quebec's

Brown wants California's carbon market to link with Quebec's
Related Link: http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/linkage/linkage.htm
(Published April 10, 2013)
Source: Sacramento Bee
Climate Change Topics: AB 32 / California: Statewide / Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation /
(Posted April 10, 2013)

Draft National Climate Assessment predicts more global warming woes for California

Draft National Climate Assessment predicts more global warming woes for California
Related Link: http://ncadac.globalchange.gov/
(Published April 9, 2013)
Source: Southern California Public Radio
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Drought / Sea level rise / Temperature / Wildfires /
(Posted April 10, 2013)

Study: California can kiss its vineyards goodbye

Study: California can kiss its vineyards goodbye (Published April 9, 2013)
Source: San Jose Mercury News
Climate Change Topics: Agriculture / California: Statewide / Temperature /
(Posted April 9, 2013)

California's silent disaster: The National Climate Assessment presents a sobering vision of the world that awaits us if we don't act (Opinion by former Gov. Schwarzenegger)

California's silent disaster: The National Climate Assessment presents a sobering vision of the world that awaits us if we don't act (Opinion by former Gov. Schwarzenegger) (Published April 8, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Drought / Sea level rise / Temperature / Wildfires /
(Posted April 8, 2013)

Climate change will increase extreme precipitation levels

Climate change will increase extreme precipitation levels
Related Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50334/abstract
(Published April 5, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Precipitation, Extreme Weather /
(Posted April 8, 2013)

New culprit in sea-level rise: Pretty Arctic clouds

New culprit in sea-level rise: Pretty Arctic clouds (Published April 5, 2013)
Source: Grist
Climate Change Topics: Sea and Polar ice / Sea level rise /
(Posted April 5, 2013)

RISE: Climate Change and Coastal Communities

RISE: Climate Change and Coastal Communities (Published March 29, 2013)
Source: National Geographic
Climate Change Topics: Flooding / Sea level rise /
(Posted April 3, 2013)

Robinson: Climate Change is a Human Story

Robinson: Climate Change is a Human Story - Excerpt from a talk by Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner and President of Ireland. Link to full video. (Published March 15, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: Global issues, human impacts /
(Posted April 2, 2013)

Opportunities for Managing Climate Change by Applying Adaptive Management

Opportunities for Managing Climate Change by Applying Adaptive Management - "This report examines how the principles of adaptive management apply to water systems in the context of challenges presented because of climate change. By reviewing how other resource sectors apply adaptive management, we identified where adaptive management could complement current water utility planning and decision making techniques and add value to managing water utility risk for the future. Through utility interviews and an international webinar, we investigated the specific climate issues of concern and the benefits that adaptive management can provide for water system infrastructure and supply management, as well as any challenges in achieving these benefits. Finally, we considered additional research that could be undertaken to demonstrate adaptive management on select infrastructure management issues and prioritized these research directions through a web-based survey." (Published April 1, 2013)
Source: Water Research Foundation
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted April 2, 2013)

Evaluating Long- and Short-Term Planning Under Climate Change Scenarios to Better Assess the Role of Water Reuse

Evaluating Long- and Short-Term Planning Under Climate Change Scenarios to Better Assess the Role of Water Reuse - Step-by-step explanation for water managers of what they need to know and plan for when it comes to climate change, with an emphasis on water recycling. (Published March 18, 2013)
Source: WateReuse Association
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted April 2, 2013)

Adaptation Strategies Guide for Water Utilities

Adaptation Strategies Guide for Water Utilities - Helps utilities prepare for challenges such as drought, water quality degradation, floods, ecosystem changes, and changes in service demand and use. (Part of EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities program) Updated March 2013 to include sustainability briefs on energy management and green infrastructure. (Published March 13, 2013)
Source: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Drought / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Water quality / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance / Flooding /
(Posted March 28, 2013)

Adaptation Tools for Public Officials

Adaptation Tools for Public Officials - "A number of resources exist to help public officials and others with climate change adaptation planning. The tools, guidebooks, clearinghouses and other resources highlighted on this page offer a sampling of what is available from states, federal agencies, nonprofit and private organizations, and others." (Published March 5, 2013)
Source: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Sea level rise / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted March 28, 2013)

Webcast: Regional Climate Scenarios and Projections of Sea Level Rise

Webcast: Regional Climate Scenarios and Projections of Sea Level Rise - "In January, 2013, EPA hosted a webinar with the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) that discussed the regional climate scenarios and global sea level rise scenarios developed as part of the National Climate Assessment." (Published January 29, 2013)
Source: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted March 28, 2013)

National Strategy Will Help California Protect Natural Resources

National Strategy Will Help California Protect Natural Resources (Published March 26, 2013)
Source: California Dept. of Fish and Game
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Ecosystems, Habitat, Threatened Species /
(Posted March 27, 2013)

Arctic ice loss may drive extreme weather patterns

Arctic ice loss may drive extreme weather patterns (Published March 27, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea and Polar ice /
(Posted March 27, 2013)

Federal plan aims to help wildlife adapt to climate change

Federal plan aims to help wildlife adapt to climate change
Related Link: http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/
(Published March 27, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Ecosystems, Habitat, Threatened Species /
(Posted March 27, 2013)

USACE 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Report

USACE 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Report - "This USACE 2012 Adaptation Plan and Report, prepared at the direction of the USACE Adaptation Steering Committee, demonstrates a broad understanding of the challenges posed by climate change to our mission, programs, and operations, and a commitment to undertake specific actions in FY 2013 and beyond to better understand and address those risks and opportunities. We present information about our vision, goals, and strategic approaches, and how we plan and evaluate agency adaptation planning. In describing our programmatic activities supporting climate change adaptation and our efforts to both better understand and to address climate change risks and opportunities, we demonstrate our awareness of cross-cutting activities underway. The plan will be updated annually and will be publicly available to our staff, partners and stakeholders." (Published June 1, 2012)
Source: United States. Army Corps of Engineers
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted March 27, 2013)

Sea-Level Change Considerations for Civil Works Programs

Sea-Level Change Considerations for Civil Works Programs - Army Corps' policy. (Circular 1165-2-212, 1 Oct. 2011) (Published October 1, 2011)
Source: United States. Army Corps of Engineers
Climate Change Topics: Planning Guides / Sea level rise /
(Posted March 27, 2013)

Promises, promises: Climate change

Promises, promises: Climate change (Published March 26, 2013)
Source: Associated Press
Climate Change Topics: Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation / Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted March 26, 2013)

2012 Highlights of Progress: Responses to Climate Change by the National Water Program

2012 Highlights of Progress: Responses to Climate Change by the National Water Program - Summary of work in the past year, including tools to help water utilities. (Published March 18, 2013)
Source: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Water quality / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted March 26, 2013)

Can a Booming Bay Area Avoid Running Out of Water?

Can a Booming Bay Area Avoid Running Out of Water?
Related Link: http://www.spur.org/publications/library/report/future-proof-water
(Published March 20, 2013)
Source: Atlantic Monthly
Climate Change Topics: California: Bay Area and Delta / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted March 20, 2013)

Nixon-Era Law Invoked by Obama on Climate Unsettles Industry

Nixon-Era Law Invoked by Obama on Climate Unsettles Industry (Published March 19, 2013)
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Climate Change Topics: Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation / Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted March 19, 2013)

Study of centuries of weather suggests record warming ahead

Study of centuries of weather suggests record warming ahead (Published March 8, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Research / Temperature /
(Posted March 11, 2013)

Wall Street banking on global warming

Wall Street banking on global warming (Published March 8, 2013)
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Sea-Level and Flood Risks: FEMA or Insurance Industry Responses / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted March 11, 2013)

Toolbox for Water Utility Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Management

Toolbox for Water Utility Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Management - "This project evaluated, compared, and contrasted process models, impact assessment methods, and performance indicators used by water utilities in North America, Europe, South Africa, and Australasia to evaluate their energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The project also identified how these tools can be used to support management decisions at water utilities. The report discusses implications of differences, investigates opportunities towards a harmonized assessment method, and provides recommendations." (Published March 5, 2013)
Source: Water Research Foundation
Climate Change Topics: Energy management and conservation / Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted March 11, 2013)

Connecting Wetlands Restoration and Soil Conservation to the the Carbon Market and Beyond

Connecting Wetlands Restoration and Soil Conservation to the the Carbon Market and Beyond - Presentation on carbon sequestration by wetlands. (Published February 21, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: AB 32 / California: Statewide / Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation /
(Posted March 11, 2013)

How NASA Scientists Are Turning L.A. Into One Big Climate-Change Lab

How NASA Scientists Are Turning L.A. Into One Big Climate-Change Lab (Published February 28, 2013)
Source: Atlantic Monthly
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Greenhouse gas (GHG) increases /
(Posted March 6, 2013)

Obama's choices to lead EPA and Energy reflect his climate views

Obama's choices to lead EPA and Energy reflect his climate views (Published March 5, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted March 5, 2013)

Cabinet Picks Could Take On Climate Policy

Cabinet Picks Could Take On Climate Policy (Published March 5, 2013)
Source: New York Times
Climate Change Topics: Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted March 5, 2013)

A carbon market takes root in California

A carbon market takes root in California (Published March 1, 2013)
Source: San Jose Mercury News
Climate Change Topics: AB 32 / California: Statewide / Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation /
(Posted March 4, 2013)

New Climate Cycle Marked by Storms, Floods & Drought

New Climate Cycle Marked by Storms, Floods & Drought (Published February 27, 2013)
Source: ENR (Engineering News-Record)
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Drought / Flooding / Precipitation, Extreme Weather /
(Posted February 28, 2013)

Short-Term Water Management Decisions: User Needs for Improved, Climate, Weather, and Hydrologic Information

Short-Term Water Management Decisions: User Needs for Improved, Climate, Weather, and Hydrologic Information - "This report is the second in a series of reports by the Climate Change and Water Working Group that identifies how to improve supporting information for water resources management decisionmaking, motivated by potential climate change impacts on water resources. Adapting to these impacts includes potential enhancements in water resources management decisions over the short term (less than 5 years) through improvements in monitoring and predicting hydrology, weather, and climate and through better use of currently available information. This report identifies how Federal agencies, along with state, local, tribal, and nongovernmental organizations and agencies, are working together to identify and respond to the needs of water resources management in the changing climate." (Published January 3, 2013)
Source: United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Climate Change Topics: Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Research / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted February 28, 2013)

San Lorenzo Valley Water District eyes cap-and-trade program

San Lorenzo Valley Water District eyes cap-and-trade program (Published February 26, 2013)
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel
Climate Change Topics: California: Bay Area and Delta / California: Water/Flood Protection Districts / Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation /
(Posted February 26, 2013)

Poll on climate change: Most Californians consider it a serious threat

Poll on climate change: Most Californians consider it a serious threat (Published February 25, 2013)
Source: San Jose Mercury News
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted February 26, 2013)

Limiting the Federal Government's Fiscal Exposure by Better Managing Climate Change Risks

Limiting the Federal Government's Fiscal Exposure by Better Managing Climate Change Risks - "Climate change is a complex, crosscutting issue that poses risks to many environmental and economic systems -- including agriculture, infrastructure, ecosystems, and human health -- and presents a significant financial risk to the federal government. Among other impacts, climate change could threaten coastal areas with rising sea levels, alter agricultural productivity, and increase the intensity and frequency of severe weather events. As observed by the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), the impacts and costliness of weather disasters -- resulting from floods, drought, and other events such as tropical cyclones—will increase in significance as what are considered 'rare' events become more common and intense due to climate change. In addition, less acute changes in the climate, such as sea level rise, could also result in significant long-term impacts. According to the National Research Council (NRC) -- the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering -- although the exact details cannot be predicted with certainty, there is a clear scientific understanding that climate change poses serious risks to human society and many of the physical and ecological systems upon which society depends, with the specific impacts of concern, and the relative likelihood of those impacts, varying significantly from place to place and over time." (Published February 14, 2013)
Source: United States. Government Accountability Office
Climate Change Topics: Drought / Flooding / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea-Level and Flood Risks: FEMA or Insurance Industry Responses / Water-Supply Related Risks: Insurance Industry Responses /
(Posted February 26, 2013)

Planning for Climate Change in California: Substantial Shifts on Top of Already High Climate Variability

Planning for Climate Change in California: Substantial Shifts on Top of Already High Climate Variability - Presentation, Dan Cayan, Jan. 2013. (Published January 31, 2013)
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Drought / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Temperature / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted February 26, 2013)

Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Draft for public comment, Feb. 2013. (Published February 7, 2013)
Source: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Water quality / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted February 26, 2013)

Preparing for Extreme Weather Events: Workshop Planner for the Water Sector

Preparing for Extreme Weather Events: Workshop Planner for the Water Sector - Scenarios include floods, drought, sea level rise, wildfires, and reduced snowpack. Register to download the planner (Published February 1, 2013)
Source: United States. Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Change Topics: Drought / Flooding / Sea level rise / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance / Wildfires /
(Posted February 26, 2013)

Bay Area environmental group proposes hybrid levees for bay

Bay Area environmental group proposes hybrid levees for bay (Published February 24, 2013)
Source: San Jose Mercury News
Climate Change Topics: California: Bay Area and Delta / Flooding / Sea level rise /
(Posted February 25, 2013)

House Bill Would Help Prepare Water Systems for Climate Change

House Bill Would Help Prepare Water Systems for Climate Change (Published February 21, 2013)
Source: Association of California Water Agencies
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Energy management and conservation / Renewable energy / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted February 25, 2013)

The Death of Yosemite's Largest Glacier

The Death of Yosemite's Largest Glacier (Published February 21, 2013)
Source: Men's Journal
Climate Change Topics: California: Statewide / Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack /
(Posted February 21, 2013)

'Uneven' Global Sea-Level Rise Predicted

'Uneven' Global Sea-Level Rise Predicted (Published February 18, 2013)
Source: Science Daily
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted February 19, 2013)

Projecting demand extremes under climate change using extreme value analysis

Projecting demand extremes under climate change using extreme value analysis - "Accurate projections of water demand extremes are essential to all aspects of the planning process (e.g., defining target growth and securing financing). The role of climate on water demand variability is pronounced and will likely increase in the future as a result of climate change. Therefore, a flexible approach that can incorporate climate change scenarios is needed to project water demand extremes. In this research, an integrated approach with two components was developed. First, extreme value models based on climate attributes were created for both water demand maximums and water demand over a specified threshold; these models were then fitted to the historic water demand and climate data. Second, ensembles of future weather sequences conditioned on climate change projections were generated using a stochastic weather generator. Together these two components provided scenarios of water demand extremes under various climate projections. The city of Aurora, Colo., was used as a case study to demonstrate the utility of this approach." (Journal of the American Water Works Association, Feb. 2013) (Published February 1, 2013)
Source: American Water Works Association
Climate Change Topics: Water supply, changes in supply, snowpack / Water utilities guidance /
(Posted February 15, 2013)

Going With the Flow

Going With the Flow (Published February 17, 2013)
Source: New York Times
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / Flooding / Sea level rise /
(Posted February 14, 2013)

Boxer's push is a twist on carbon tax

Boxer's push is a twist on carbon tax (Published February 14, 2013)
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Climate Change Topics: Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation / Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted February 14, 2013)

Rising levels of SF Bay could mean serious flooding for future generations

Rising levels of SF Bay could mean serious flooding for future generations (Published February 12, 2013)
Source: KTVU
Climate Change Topics: California: Bay Area and Delta / Sea level rise /
(Posted February 13, 2013)

Obama's State of the Union: Topic by topic

Obama's State of the Union: Topic by topic (Published February 13, 2013)
Source: Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Topics: Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation / Politics, laws, United Nations, etc. /
(Posted February 13, 2013)

Cool steps help fight global warming

Cool steps help fight global warming (Published February 10, 2013)
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Climate Change Topics: Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, mitigation /
(Posted February 11, 2013)

The Scary Truth About How Much Climate Change is Costing You

The Scary Truth About How Much Climate Change is Costing You (Published February 7, 2013)
Source: National Journal
Climate Change Topics: Drought / Flooding / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Sea-Level and Flood Risks: FEMA or Insurance Industry Responses /
(Posted February 8, 2013)

These Scary Maps Explain What Sea Level Rise Will Mean in Boston

These Scary Maps Explain What Sea Level Rise Will Mean in Boston (Published February 5, 2013)
Source: Atlantic Monthly
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted February 8, 2013)

New map pinpoints cities to avoid as sea levels rise

New map pinpoints cities to avoid as sea levels rise (Published February 7, 2013)
Source: New Scientist
Climate Change Topics: Sea level rise /
(Posted February 8, 2013)

Scenarios for Climate Assessment and Adaptation

Scenarios for Climate Assessment and Adaptation - "On these pages you will find information about and access to a suite of climate and other scenarios produced as input to the U.S. National Climate Assessment. There are documents, graphics, references to data sets, and other resources that have been prepared to depict a range of plausible future conditions against which risks, vulnerability, and opportunities can be assessed at regional and national scale. In addition to providing input to the National Climate Assessment, these scenarios are designed to be useful to a variety of other users including researchers, technical report teams, and decision makers. Over the next several years, we expect to evolve the scenarios to keep them up to date and make them as user friendly as possible, in support of the ongoing assessment process." (Published January 9, 2013)
Source: United States. Global Change Research Program
Climate Change Topics: Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Sea level rise / Temperature /
(Posted February 7, 2013)

Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment. Part 5. Climate of the Southwest U.S.

Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment. Part 5. Climate of the Southwest U.S. - "The future climate scenarios are intended to provide an internally consistent set of climate conditions that can serve as inputs to analyses of potential impacts of climate change. The scenarios are not intended as projections as there are no established probabilities for their future realization. They simply represent an internally consistent climate picture using certain assumptions about the future pathway of greenhouse gas emissions. By 'consistent' we mean that the relationships among different climate variables and the spatial patterns of these variables are derived directly from the same set of climate model simulations and are therefore physically plausible." (Published January 2, 2013)
Source: United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Climate Change Topics: Drought / Flooding / Precipitation, Extreme Weather / Temperature /
(Posted February 7, 2013)

San Francisco a Test Case for Coping with Rising Seas

San Francisco a Test Case for Coping with Rising Seas (Published February 1, 2013)
Source: KQED Radio
Climate Change Topics: California: Bay Area and Delta / Sea level rise /
(Posted February 4, 2013)

Special issue on climate change in the Bay Area

Special issue on climate change in the Bay Area (Published February 1, 2013)
Source: Estuary News
Climate Change Topics: Adaptation / California: Bay Area and Delta / Ecosystems, Habitat, Threatened Species / Flooding / Sea level rise /
(Posted February 1, 2013)

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Created and maintained by Bob Teeter, District Librarian; organized by Sarah Young