Executive Summary: Preparing for Climate Change in the Klamath Basin of Southern Oregon and Northern California
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Date
2010-01
Authors
Climate Leadership Initiative
Barr, Brian R.
Koopman, Marni E.
Williams, Cindy Deacon
Doppelt, Bob
Hamilton, Roger
Vynne, Stacy, 1979-
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Abstract
The Klamath Basin of southern Oregon and northern California is rich in history, culture, and
natural resources. This report explores how the local communities and natural resources of the
Klamath Basin are expected to be affected by climate change and identifies approaches to
preparing for such changes. Many impacts from climate change are already becoming apparent,
such as an increasing average global temperature, rising sea levels, earlier snow melt, loss of
snow pack, and changing precipitation patterns and storm frequency. Without severe cuts in
greenhouse gas emissions, these impacts and others will continue to accelerate and negatively
affect local communities and natural resources. While efforts to reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases are essential to prevent the most severe impacts, we must also take
proactive steps to prepare for the impacts of climate change already inevitable due to
emissions that have previously been released. This report is the result of a collaborative effort. The USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest
Research Station developed projections for the potential future climate of the Klamath Basin.
The University of Oregon’s Climate Leadership Initiative and the National Center for
Conservation Science & Policy presented these projections to local leaders and experts in the
Klamath Basin through a series of workshops. Leaders and experts used these climate
projections to identify likely changes to natural (aquatic and terrestrial species and habitats),
built (infrastructure), economic (agriculture, forestry, business, etc), human (health, educators,
and emergency services), and tribal (resources of cultural and indigenous community
importance) systems. The leaders and experts then developed recommended strategies and
actions to prepare communities and natural resources for those changes.
Description
3 p.