The University of Arizona

Climate Change

Challenge

Climate change science at The University of Arizona draws on faculty and students from more than forty departments across campus, working to understand how natural and human systems are likely to change and influence society in the months, years, and decades to come. We are challenged to provide the best, most current projections of impacts to prepare society and decision-makers to adapt to changing climate and to help mitigate its adverse effects.

Goals

  • To address regional and global change issues from an interdisciplinary perspective that builds on the UA's long-standing tradition of excellence in earth science and environmental programs.
  • To determine how warming and other changes at the global scale will impact temperatures, water availability, and landscapes across Arizona and the Southwest.
  • To work closely with Arizona's leading policy makers and operational agencies to gain a better understanding of their needs.
  • To modify the campus and our operational policies so as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the urban heat island.
  • To provide society with the tools and the solid scientific foundation needed to make the best decisions about our future.

Global Climate Change

  • Basic climate dynamics (What is climate?)
  • circulation, energy balance (How does the climate system work?)
  • Greenhouse effect (Why should I believe that emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will cause global warming?)
  • Causes of global warming (Keeling curve, pie chart of sources, breakdown by country)
  • Greenhouse gases, uncertainties (What are the uncertainties regarding future climate changes?)
  • Climate change projections, based on IPCC AR4 Ancillary: Climate change observations ((land vs. ocean T, sea-ice and glaciers/photos, phenological changes, spatial distribution re. high lats and high elevations, ENSO changes)
  • Maps & graphics by climate division - AR4 projections
  • Latest global climate change news (from NewsWatch, last 3 mos.)

Southwest Climate

  • CC Projections for West, Southwest based on IPCC AR4
  • Overview of observations in West/SW (glaciers, forest fires, insect infestation, invasive species, NCDC climate monitoring)
  • Temperature (with reference to Urban Heat island).
  • Precipitation
  • Drought (integration of above)
  • Variability and persistence
  • Impacts of El Nino Southern Oscillation (El Nino/La Nina), etc.

Impacts on Ecosystems and the Landscape

  • Introduction
  • Desert
  • Grasslands and woodlands
  • Coniferous Forests
  • Riparian areas and wetlands
  • Wildfire

Impacts on Society

  • Urban areas (heat island)
  • Tourism and Recreation
  • Disease
  • Industry (lacking content)
  • Water resources

What can we do about it?

  • International (pointers to innovative initiatives abroad)
  • National
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Individual