Mar
6
Managing Water Resources Development in a Changing Climate
March 6, 2009 | Posted by admin
3 Comments
Jerry Sehlke, President AWRA
Most AWRA members are not directly associated with “climate change science” or “climate change technology” programs; however, many are on the front line relative to “climate change adaptation.” As such, we should actively participate in climate change research and discussions in our own particular field of study or practice in order to help shape and inform both the research and the debate. We should utilize and encourage others to utilize rigorous, transparent science to help understand the causes and effects of climate change, to quantify the uncertainties, to determine the potential risks, and to help define the physical realm of potential solutions. As managers and decision makers, we should utilize the appropriate information to inform our decisions. Combined, these actions will allow us to better understand, plan, and manage our water resources in an era of increased uncertainty.
As an organization, I believe that AWRA should stay true to its branding statement of “community, conversation, connections” by continuing to promote safe and comfortable forums for physical, biological, and social scientists, engineers, decisionmakers and others concerned with the impacts of climate change on water resources. These forums should encourage open and balanced discussions that focus on the issues rather than personalities and politics.. I am confident that AWRA¹s two 2009 specialty conferences, “Managing Water Resources and Development in a Changing Climate” and “Adaptive Management of Water Resources II” will provide such opportunities for water resources professionals to gather and have such conversations. In keeping with our mission, I believe that AWRA should proactively help the water resources community develop “multidisciplinary water resources education, management and research” approaches to understanding the potential impacts of climate change on water resources. In addition, we should help water resources managers and decision-makers devise strategic approaches to adapting to present and future impacts utilizing interdisciplinary approaches and programs that integrate science, engineering, management, social/cultural aspects, and policy-making to develop long term, sustainable solutions to address and respond to our changing climate.
Finally, as water resources professionals and as good citizens, I believe that we should insist on fiscally responsible programs and activities that adequately fund those tasks are prudent and necessary, but that guard against the wasteful use of funding and resources during these times of economic crisis. By promoting open, rigorous, transparent, balanced, research and discussions, and by being open and honest decisionmakers and implementers, I believe that we can help the U.S. develop coherent, scientifically based water resources policies and programs to take advantage of the opportunities and to adapt to the challenges poised by climate change in the future.
Related posts:
- Climate Change, Water, and Indigenous Peoples: Forgotten No More I’ve posted about climate change and its impacts on water...
- Foreign Affairs’ Climate Change Reading List Foreign Affairs just posted this list of What to Read on...
- Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Climate Change Portal Bob Teeter, the librarian at the SCV Water District, just...
- Ari M. Michelsen, 2010 Greeting Ari M. Michelsen, President AWRA I am pleased to offer...
- Message From the President Ari M. Michelsen, President AWRA At its January 22, 2010,...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Comments
3 Comments so far
Subscribe
A voice of reson in the chaos of clammering for the dollar. We all need to take a “people first” approach to life in general, rather than a “my wallet first and only” approach.
Water management is going to be THE issue this century. It is already becoming a critical issue here in Australia. Melbourne has almost run out of water (we’ve got about 6 months’ supply left). They’re trying to build a desalination plant as fast as possible, and meanwhile half the population is still sneaking out at night to water their lawns and gardens.
Excellent post, Jerry!
[...] Managing Water Resources Development in a Changing Climate Jerry Sehlke, President AWRA Most AWRA members are not… [...]