1. Climate Change Information Thomas Piechota, Ph.D., P.E Director of Sustainability and Multidisciplinary Research Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

2. Is the Earth Getting Warmer?

3. The Earth’s Greenhouse Effect Typical Greenhouse gases water vapor carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) methane nitrous oxide ozone CFCs

4. Changes in Temperature and CO 2 Concentrations

5. Karl and Trenberth, 2003 Climate Change: Natural or Manmade? Petit et al., 1999 Vostok Ice Core Colorado River Basin

6. Climate Change: Is it the Urban Heat Island? Peterson, 2003 OR

7. Public Perception of Climate Change Mason Dixon Polling and Research, Inc., 2008 How do you feel about the issue of climate change? Do you believe it is a scientifically established reality, or do you feel it is still unproven and subject to debate? Reality48% Unproven44 Not sure5 On the issue of climate change in the West, do you feel that the benefits of taking action will be worth or will not be worth the economic costs? Worth it 57% Not worth it 26 Not sure 17

8. Public Perception of Climate Change Mason Dixon Polling and Research, Inc., 2008 Do you feel that addressing climate change in the West will create new jobs through development of new energy and agricultural technologies or result in a loss of jobs by increasing regulations and costs on businesses. Create Jobs54% Lose Jobs24 Not sure22

9. Not Just an Issue for Scientists

10. How is Climate Change Modeled? ( General Circulation Models (GCMs) of the earth)

11. Projected Temperature Changes in the US

12. Projected Precipitation Changes in the US

13. Impacts of Climate Change Decreased summer runoff…increased winter runoff Increase in forest growth and timber production Losses in local biodiversity…some may adapt Food supply should remain secure More heat waves…milder winters Sea level rise…inundation of coastal communities More extreme (floods and droughts) events

14. Climate Change in the West and Las Vegas Less snowpack in the Colorado River Basin Decreased power generation Higher salinity levels Lower reservoir levels (impacts to recreation) LV more like Phoenix climate Water Education Foundation, 1999 Lee Ferry

15. Changes in Western Snowpack

16. Lake Mead Water Surface Elevation

17. Temperature in Upper Colorado River Basin

18. Precipitation in Upper Colorado River Basin

19. Projected Temperature (2000-2020) in Upper Colorado River Basin

20. Projected Precipitation (2000-2020) in Upper Colorado River Basin

21. Adapting to Climate Change Alteration of cropping and agriculture management practices Modifications to infrastructure Increased water conservation practices Flexibility of managing water across basins Integrated management of groundwater and surface water Market solutions Incorporate climate change into long-term planning/design Increase in water reuse