How Do I Get Involved >> Climate Change Resources
NEW! To read the draft Climate Change Report developed for the 2013 IRWM Plan Update, click here.
CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCES
The USEPA defines climate change as any distinct change in measures of climate lasting for a long period of time. In other words, "climate change" means major changes in temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lasting for decades or longer. Climate change may result from:
- Natural factors (e.g., changes in the Sun's energy or the Earth's orbit);
- Natural processes within the climate system (e.g., changes in ocean circulation);
- Human activities that change the atmosphere's make-up (e.g, burning fossil fuels) and the land surface (e.g., cutting down forests).
The 2007 IRWM Plan reports that hydrologic conditions in the Region, California, and the Colorado River Basin will likely be altered as a result of global climate change (based on conditions observed over the past century). Key probable changes in hydrologic conditions forecast by DWR include:
- Snowpack Changes - While snowpack represents a negligible component of the water balance within the Region's local water supplies, snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains represents California's largest water storage component. Decreased snowpack in the Sierras will result in increased runoff, adversely affecting California's water storage and potentially affecting the amount of imported water available to the Region.
- Hydrologic Patterns - Global warming may result in a shift in storm tracks. Existing data show a trend of increasing precipitation in Northern California and decreasing precipitation in Southern California during the past century.
- Storm Intensity - Flood management, erosion, and water quality impacts could occur if climate change results in increased precipitation intensity and reduced health plant cover.
- Sea Level Rise - Sea level rises associated with global warming could increase coastal erosion, impacting ecosystems and tidal wetlands. Sea level rises would also increase salinity intrusion into the Delta, adversely impacting the quality of State Water Project supplies delivered to the Region.
- Water Temperatures - Increased air temperatures and modified storm patterns may result in increased reservoir water temperatures, adversely affecting cold water and other species and increasing the intensity of algae blooms.
- Water Demand - Further drying of climates in currently arid regions will result in increased human and environmental demands.
- Energy Demand - Global warming effects may result in increased energy demands that will require increased conservation and efficiency measures.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading body for the assessment of climate change, established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences.
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (2007)
http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_and_data_reports.htm#1
The California Climate Change Portal contains information on the impacts of climate change on California and the state's policies relating to global warming. It is also the home of the California Climate Change Center, a "virtual" research and information website operated by the California Energy Commission. Information on the portal is coordinated by the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Climate Action Team.
California Climate Adaptation Strategy (2009)
http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/adaptation/index.html
Using Future Climate Change Projections to Support Water Resources Decision Making in California (2009)
www.energy.ca.gov/2009publications/CEC-500-2009-052/CEC-500-2009-052-D.PDF
The Future is Now: An Update on Climate Change Science Impacts and Response Options for California (2008)
www.climatechange.ca.gov/publications/biennial_reports/index.html
California Air Resources Board Draft Scoping Plan (2008)
www.climatechange.ca.gov/publications/arb.html
Managing an Uncertain Future: Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for California's Water (2008)
www.climatechange.ca.gov/publications/agencies.html
Our Changing Climate: Assessing the Risks to California (2006)
www.climatechange.ca.gov/publications/biennial_reports/index.html
Progress on Incorporating Climate Change into Management of California Water Resources (2006)
www.climatechange.ca.gov/publications/agencies.html
San Diego Foundation
Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation addresses evolving issues facing our region by convening community leaders, providing research and expertise on topics important to our citizens, and partnering with local and regional nonprofit organizations to meet urgent and changing needs.
San Diego's Changing Climate: A Regional Wake-Up Call
www.sdfoundation.org/news/pdf/Focus2050glossySDF-ClimateReport.pdf
San Diego CoastKeeper Watersheds Wiki
This site is a platform to share information and data about the San Diego Region's watersheds, along with the data collected through the San Diego Coastkeeper's water quality monitoring program.
Sea Level Rise Affects Marshes Model (SLAMM) - Select title of Output Map for Sea Level Rise Simulation
www.sdwatersheds.org/wiki/index.php/Sea_Level_Rise_Affects_Marshes_Model