Drier and Hotter: Managing Climate Risks in the Southwest
Channel: eesionline
Date: 03/04/2014

Learn more and download slides at http://www.eesi.org/040214southwest
Table of contents: http://youtu.be/CH9TOFgAJJI?t=15s

Wednesday, April 2, 2014——The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing examining the current and projected impacts of climate change in the Southwest and regional efforts to manage these risks.

Speakers were:

Eleanor Bastian, Legislative Director, Office of Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)
http://youtu.be/CH9TOFgAJJI?t=25s

Patrick Gonzalez, Ph.D., Climate Change Scientist, U.S. National Park Service
http://youtu.be/CH9TOFgAJJI?t=2m5s
Download Dr. Patrick Gonzalez's slides: http://files.eesi.org/PatrickGonzalez040214.pdf

Chris Treese, External Affairs Manager, Colorado River District
http://youtu.be/CH9TOFgAJJI?t=22m5s
Download Chris Treese's slides: http://files.eesi.org/ChrisTreese040214.pdf

Margaret Bowman, Acting Environment Program Director, Walton Family Foundation
http://youtu.be/CH9TOFgAJJI?t=36m48s
Download a summary of Margaret Bowman's remarks: http://files.eesi.org/MargaretBowman040214.pdf

Louis Blumberg, Director, California Climate Change Program, The Nature Conservancy
http://youtu.be/CH9TOFgAJJI?t=50m54s
Download Louis Blumberg's slides: http://files.eesi.org/LouisBlumberg040214.pdf

The Southwest is already the driest and hottest region in the United States, and California is in the midst of a historic drought. The draft Third National Climate Assessment (NCA) -- the final version is expected soon -- projects that the region's climate may become even more severe. These changes are having substantial adverse effects on the regional economy and quality of life, forcing local leaders to develop creative solutions to combat drought and other extreme conditions. How can the Southwest best address current impacts while also building climate resiliency to manage risk and foster long-term prosperity? 

The effects of climate change already are being felt in the Southwest, which the NCA defines as Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Snowpack levels have fallen over the past 50 years, limiting a key source of the region's water supply. From 2001-2010, the streamflow of the region's major rivers was 5-37 percent lower than the 20th century average. Prolonged droughts and insect infestations have made forest ecosystems more vulnerable to wildfires and disease. Rising sea levels have increased flooding and erosion in California's coastal areas.

Climate change is expected to disrupt the livelihoods of many in the Southwest. Today, 56 million Americans live in the region. By 2050, its population is projected to rise to 94 million, putting additional strain on water resources. Water scarcity threatens the region's irrigation-dependent agriculture sector, which accounts for 79 percent of regional water withdrawals. The Southwest is home to more than half of the nation's high-value specialty crops, such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Because these crops are particularly vulnerable to weather extremes, climate change will likely reduce yields.

Many state and local authorities in the Southwest are moving forward with climate adaptation initiatives. California released a draft revision of its adaptation strategy in December 2013. New Mexico's Active Water Resource Management program, which gives the state the tools to administer scarce water resources in cases of drought, has been cited as a model for other states. Salt Lake City, Tucson and Flagstaff formed the Western Adaptation Alliance in 2010 to share resources and best practices to improve local resiliency. The Alliance has grown to include Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and others.