Grantee Research Project Results

2014 Progress Report: Integrating Information from Climate Scientists and Resource Managers: Informing Preparedness and Adaptation to Extreme Event Impacts on Air and Water Quality in California

EPA Grant Number: R835194
Title: Integrating Information from Climate Scientists and Resource Managers: Informing Preparedness and Adaptation to Extreme Event Impacts on Air and Water Quality in California
Investigators: Bedsworth, Louise W , Duffy, Philip B. , Tebaldi, Claudia
Current Investigators: Bedsworth, Louise W , Tebaldi, Claudia , Duffy, Philip B.
Institution: University of California - Davis , Climate Central
Current Institution: Public Policy Institute of California , Climate Central , University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2015 (Extended to May 31, 2019)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2014 through May 31,2015
Project Amount: $710,529
RFA: Extreme Event Impacts on Air Quality and Water Quality with a Changing Global Climate (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Water Quality , Water , Air , Climate Change

Objective:

The objective of this project is to develop and test a set of indicators of extreme events under a changing climate that have relevance for preparedness and adaptation within the air and water quality sectors in California. We will do this by integrating information from historical climate data, downscaled climate model simulations of current and future climate, and air and water quality managers' understanding of the vulnerabilities of their systems. The research is motivated by the expressed desire of resource managers to have more relevant and accessible climate change information to improve management of climate risks. By working with resource managers and climate scientists, we will develop more relevant definitions of extreme events to guide the development of policy-relevant climate impacts data.

Progress Summary:

To date, following a series of background interviews we have completed a comprehensive survey of water agencies in California. The results are being analyzed for presentation and work is underway to select agencies for case studies. The first survey of water agencies was completed over the summer of 2015. The survey was sent to a population of water agencies throughout California. We selected the survey population to be representative of water agencies across the state. The survey was conducted using Qualitrics, an online survey platform. Prior to launching the survey, the project team created a set of panel data that includes water agency characteristics (e.g., region, size, water source) for use in analysis of the results. The survey was sent to more than 750 water utilities and was completed in August 2015. Analysis and preparation of the results for inclusion in manuscripts and oral presentations is underway.

Future Activities:

The key activities for the next period of this project are:

Submission of manuscripts for publication of the water survey results. Manuscripts will be submitted by the end of the calendar year.
Selection of water agencies for in-depth case studies. These case studies will be underway by early 2016.
Launch of the water quality survey in early 2016, with results by spring. As with the water agency survey, results of this survey will be used to inform case study selection.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 15 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

global warming, climate change, extreme impacts, vulnerability, adaptation, CA, EPA Region 9

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.