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June, 2009
New Report Projects Climate Change Impacts
A new report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program outlines the projected impacts of climate change impacts in different regions of the United States and on various sectors of society -- including a detailed discussion on the expected impacts on water resources. The report is a synthesis of scientific studies about climate change impacts on the U.S. through 2008, including USGCRP's 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products (SAPs).
The document is focused on what is already happening because of climate change, but also what is expected to happen going forward both under lower and higher emissions scenarios. The USGCRP site indicates that the report "highlights the choices we face in response to human-induced climate change."
To access the report, Click Here.
May, 2009
Study Finds That Melting Greenland Ice Sheets May Threaten Northeast United States, Canada
A study published recently in Geophysical Research Letters finds that if Greenland's ice melts at moderate to high rates, ocean circulation by 2100 may shift and cause sea levels off the northeast coast of North America to rise by about 12 to 20 inches (about 30 to 50 centimeters) more than in other coastal areas.
For more information, Click Here.
April, 2009
AMWA Member Testifies in Favor of Water Utility Research and Adaptation Assistance
Patricia Mulroy, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and a member of AMWA's Board of Directors, testified on Capitol Hill on April 24 that a portion of federal revenues from a cap-and-trade greenhouse gas emissions program should be set aside for research and adaptation projects at drinking water systems.
Mulroy's testimony came during a week of hearings in the House Energy and Commerce Committee prior to consideration of a cap-and-trade bill drafted by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.)
To read Pat Mulroy's testimony, Click Here.
April, 2009
 House Leaders Unveil Draft Cap-and-Trade Bill
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-Mass.) recently released a draft version of their plan for comprehensive cap-and-trade climate change legislation: the "American Clean Energy and Security Act" (ACES).
While still only in draft form, the 648-page bill outlines a plan to reduce American greenhouse gas emissions to 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. To accomplish this, polluting industries would be required to pay for the ability to release global warming emissions into the atmosphere.
The draft bill also includes an adaptation section that would direct some government funds to state and local governments to help them undertake projects to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. AMWA hopes to focus on this section to bring more attention to the unique needs of the nation's drinking water systems.
To read a summary of the draft bill, Click Here.
To view the entire draft bill text, Click Here.
March, 2009
Leaders Meet for International Conference on Climate Change
More than 2,500 delegates from nearly 80 countries recently met in Copenhagen, Denmark for the International Scientific Congress Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges & Decisions.
A full synthesis report will be published in June 2009, but preliminary information and summaries of topics of discussion at the forum are currently available online.
For more information, Click Here.
NAS Report Identifies CCSP Needs
A report by the National Academies National Research Council says that the federal Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) says that many of the programs being developed by states to address greenhouse gases and adapt to climate change effects are being developed without “the science support that could help shape better outcomes.” The report says the CCSP’s research must encompass basic science to decision support, urging that a “comprehensive approach to supporting decisions on climate change includes two-way communication with users.”
To view the report, Click Here
Looking for Something Older?
Access previously-posted information in AMWA's Climate Archives, available here.
AMWA's Climate Change Committee
In 2007 AMWA formed a Climate Change Committee, which is intended to help drinking water utilities monitor and shape federal rules, research, and legislation related to climate change. The committee meets in person at AMWA's spring and fall meetings, as well as periodically by conference call.
All AMWA members are invited to join the committee. To join, contact Erica Brown in AMWA's national office.
Climate Change Committee documents, such as meeting summaries and handouts, are available here (login required).
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Click here for AMWA's Climate Change Water Research Database
Click here to explore other online climate research resources
Click here to read AMWA's Green Projects Blog
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