map

This graphic from Sac Bee journalist, Tom Knudson’s “Sierra Summit” blog was posted in August 2008, but is still a great illustration of the early warning signs of climate change in the Sierra Nevada.   From retreating glaciers and ice caves to scorched forests, this map highlights some captivating images and graphics linking the past to the present and the present to the future.

Click this link to access the Flash player interactive map on the Sac Bee website.  (Note: You need flash player version 8 to interact with the content.)

With these changes already occurring, it is critical to both adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change now.  What is being done to inform communities?  Thanks to Mary’s question from the last posting, we were inspired to share some links and information on climate change in the Sierra Nevada.  There is a litany of information on climate change available on the web, but the following links are targeted specifically to California and should be a good starting place for any research.

At the state level there is a Climate Action Team that released its Draft Biennial Report in March 2009.  The report outlines the possible effects of climate change under multiple emissions scenarios.  And look for the California Climate Adaptation Strategy sometime in the near future, drafted by multiple stakeholder workgroups.    At the local government level, a recent report by the Public Policy Institute of California found that roughly 75% of city and county governments are working on climate change issues, with strategies like addressing emissions in their general plans and CEQA reviews, conducting emissions inventories, and creating climate action plans.  To prepare communities and the public, the Sierra Nevada Alliance developed a Climate Change Toolkit to inform Sierra communities about climate change and adaptation strategies specific to the Sierra Nevada.

The first step to mitigating and adapting to global warming is to be educated and knowledgeable about what climate change is and possible impacts.  Hopefully these resources help you and your community to better understand how climate change will affect the Sierra Nevada.