Climate Change and Community Action
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the leading cooperative body investigating climate change causes, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation, and is currently working on the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5)
- Inundation maps for coastal communities that reflect the best available information on sea-level rise and changing patterns of coastal storms;
- Heat projections to help mangers plan future energy and health services needs;
- Climate and precipitation models to help farmers know the impact of a changing climate on their crops;
- Relevant historical climate data and data from state-of-the-art climate models to inform investment and planning for businesses and local governments;
- Routine vulnerability and risk assessments for climate-sensitive regions and sectors.
Energy saving tips for individuals and families.
ICLEI was founded as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and is a leading organization of local governments providing technical guidance, training, and information to help governments pursue sustainable practices. GHG assessment and reduction tools are available. Info specific to Michigan.
Climate Communities is a coalition of city and county governments focusing on the link between climate change and local communities, and the need for a local community-level scale in the federal policies that tend to climate change.
EPA Tribal Climate and Energy Information provides technical assistance, analytical tools, and support for Tribal governments in addressing climate change.
Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange provides tools, case studies, and a virtual library with ideas and opportunities for climate change adaptation strategies.
Climate Change Resource Center is a US Forest Service website with information and tools for land managers working on climate change and adaptation planning.
Northern Arizona University Tribal Climate Change website contains information on the general science of climate change and different tribal views, profiles, and actions taken regarding climate change.
Montana Weatherization Training Center provides resources for professionals and homeowners working on reducing energy costs and increasing energy efficiency.
Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change website provides tools, case studies, and information on climate change.
University of Michigan Lecture on Climate Change by Dr. Hansen
Michigan State University symposium "Climate Change Vulnerabilities and Opportunities: Michigan and Beyond" presentations
EPA Climate Change and Water News
EPA Announces Public Comment Period for Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Four Case Studies of Water Utility Practices
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document titled, Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment: Four Case Studies of Water Utility Practices. The document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment within EPA's Office of Research and Development. This draft report presents a series of case studies describing the approaches currently being taken by four water utilities to assess their vulnerability to future climate change. The report is intended to illustrate the types of analyses, models, and climate change information being developed and used by selected utilities that are leaders in climate adaptation to understand and respond to climate risk. The public comment period is open until October 7, 2010. The EPA Federal Register Notice is posted at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-20838.htm. Information is also available at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/global/recordisplay.cfm?deid=226435.
Other News
The National Academies Release Report: Management and Effects of Coalbed Methane Produced Water in the United States
The extraction of methane (natural gas) trapped deep in some coal beds is a common practice, especially in Western States, but carries with it the issue of what to do with the water that must be pumped out to release the methane. This study investigates the critical environmental, economic, and regulatory issues associated with coalbed methane produced water, and finds that current management decisions often fail to consider both potential environmental effects and opportunities for beneficial use. The report is available at: http://dels.nas.edu/Report/report/12915?utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=The%20National%20Academies&utm_campaign=Aetos-Report+v2.
Obama Administration Officials Announce the Final Recommendations of the Ocean Policy Task Force
Obama Administration officials released the Final Recommendations of the Ocean Policy Task Force, which would establish a National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes (National Policy) and create a National Ocean Council (NOC) to strengthen ocean governance and coordination. The Final Recommendations prioritize actions for the NOC to pursue, and call for a flexible framework for coastal and marine spatial planning to address conservation, economic activity, user conflict, and sustainable use of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes. The NOC would coordinate across the Federal Government to implement the National Policy. The Final Recommendations also call for the establishment of a Governance Coordinating Committee to formally engage with state, tribal, and local authorities. The Final Recommendations are expected to be adopted into an Executive Order by President Obama. The full text of the National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans.
The WaterReuse Association to Host the 25th Annual WaterReuse Symposium on September 12 - 15, 2010 in Washington, D.C.
The 25th Annual WaterReuse Symposium will be held in Washington, D.C. on September 12 - 15, 2010. The event is cosponsored by the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation and will focus on sustaining water supplies through water reuse and desalination. Additional Information is available at: http://www.watereuse.org/conferences/symposium/25.
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Issues Report Linking Climate Change to Future Water Shortages
Climate change will have a significant impact on the sustainability of water supplies in the coming decades. A new analysis examined the effects of global warming on water supply and demand in the contiguous United States. The study found that more than 1,100 counties (one-third of all counties in the lower 48) will face higher risks of water shortages by mid-century as the result of global warming. More than 400 of these counties will face extremely high risks of water shortages. Additional information is available at: http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/watersustainability/.
America's Climate Choices Report Calls for Better Information Systems and Communications to Guide U.S. Response to Climate Change
Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change, the newest panel report from the America's Climate Choices suite of studies, demonstrates that demand for information to support climate-related decisions has grown as people, organizations, and governments have moved ahead with plans and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. In order to meet national needs for state-of-the-art information on climate change, its impacts, and response options, a coordinated system of climate services is needed; such a system would require the involvement of multiple agencies and regional expertise, with very clear leadership at the highest level of government. A federally supported and credible system for greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, verification, and management from multiple sources and at multiple scales is also a priority. The majority of Americans are concerned about climate change and are willing to respond, but would like more information. Therefore, the report recommends the creation of a national task force on climate communication and education. For additional information, visit: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12784.
U.S. Geological Survey Provides Real-Time Water Resource Updates Through WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) launched a new service, WaterAlert, which allows users to receive updates about river flows, groundwater levels, water temperatures, rainfall and water quality at any of more than 9,500 sites where USGS collects real-time water information. This information is crucial for managing water resources, including during floods, droughts and chemical spills. For additional information, visit: http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert.
NOAA Launches State of the Coasts Website
The State of the Coasts website is a source for quick facts and more detailed statistics offered through 14 interactive indicator visualizations presented across four themes: Communities, Economy, Ecology, and Climate. Collectively, this information highlights the crucial importance of a healthy coastal ecosystem to a robust U.S. economy, a safe population, and a sustainable quality of life for coastal residents. For additional information, visit: http://stateofthecoast.noaa.gov/.
Proceedings from the Colorado Water Institute's Workshop on Nonstationarity, Hydrologic Frequency Analysis, and Water Management Are Available Online
The workshop was held in Boulder, Colorado from January 13-15, 2010, and brought together researchers and practitioners from the U.S. and international institutions. The workshop objectives were to discuss in detail how water management agencies should plan and manage water resources in the face of nonstationarity, and to form a coordinated action plan to help the agencies move forward. Additional information is available at: http://www.cwi.colostate.edu/NonstationarityWorkshop/proceedings.shtml.
Recent Presentations
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan visual presentations are available for download
Steps to a Healthy Anishinaabe
Results from the 2006 Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS) are now published
Three tribes, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the...