The dwindling supplies of groundwater is dire. Saltwater intrusion, centuries old aquifers drying up, the ground is breaking apart, and ag and drinking water disappearing. “Many of the aquifers that supply 90 percent of the nation’s water systems, and which have transformed vast stretches of America into some of the world’s most bountiful farmland, are being severely depleted. These declines are threatening irreversible harm to the American economy and society as a whole.” Two major California and Arizona aquifers recently matched or exceeded their lowest levels since NASA began collecting data two decades ago. By Mira Rojanasakul, Christopher Flavelle, Blacki Migliozzi and Eli Murray, Aug. 28, 2023 New York Times
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Climate modeling helps us understand what the future may look like based on our actions, or lack of actions. This lively explanation what's measured, and how models have become more reliable over time. Note: Later in the video presentation some content about extreme climate events may be troubling to sensitive viewers. To understand the effects of climate change, one needs to understand the ecosystem as a baseline. There are only a handful of mediterranean-climates ecosystems in the world. And they all occur on the west coast of continents. The video below explains why California's coast is one. Climate Change in California and What's Happening NowUse this link to access the California State Climate Summaries 2022.
The key messages are:
The UC Climate Stewards course is offered in various locations around California. It's predominantly online with on-site field trips. It focuses on climate change literacy and community engagement. The information on this page is related to Climate Stewardship, a new Initiative from the University of California Cooperative Extension in partnership with the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. PROGRAM GOALS:
What extreme events get your attention?For many in Santa Cruz County, it was the August 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire. Dry lightning, a couple of days before the fire was detected, was a phenomena we rarely see on the Monterey Bay. In various parts of the State there were thunderstorm events that produced close to 11,000 bolts of lightning and started hundreds of fires. Dry lightning events have increased in areas experiencing mega-droughts. A mega-drought is a prolonged drought lasting two decades or longer. Other events caught my attention as well:
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