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Fifty-Three Sierra Organizations Pledge to Adapt to Climate Change
Sierra Nevada region committed to adapting and preparing for unavoidable changes in climate
Published on May 21, 2009 - 9:03:49 AM
By: Sierra Nevada Alliance
Sierra Nevada, CA May 21, 2009 - Climate change is and will be reducing snowpack, increasing wildfires, species migration, and expanding the number and range of invasive species in the Sierra, affecting the health of Sierra ecosystems and the livelihood of Sierra communities. As of May 2009, fifty-three organizations recognize this current threat and have taken a pledge to adapt to these climate changes through education, local planning and implementing projects.
Diverse organizations taking the pledge, like the South Tahoe Public Utility District and local Sierra Club Chapters, acknowledge the need to reduce emissions and adapt to changes we can not prevent to protect communities and the environment. These groups form the core of a growing network of those taking action to adapt to secure a future with robust Sierra ecosystems, resilient water supply and sustainable local communities even in the face of climate change.
"The commitment of these organizations demonstrates that leadership and innovative solutions will be coming from rural areas like the Sierra, and not just from Sacramento or Washington D.C.," stated Marion Gee, Water and Climate Program Associate at the Sierra Nevada Alliance. "Our Sierra communities can be safer, have reliable water, diverse wildlife and robust economies if we plan ahead. Their commitment is a model for the nation."
Over the past three years, the Sierra Nevada Alliance Water & Climate Change Program has raised awareness of the impacts of climate change, the need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and particularly the importance of adapting to the changes we can't prevent. By distributing more than 1000 Sierra climate change toolkits, giving more than 51 presentations on climate change, and, as of May 2009, collecting 53 Adaptation pledges, the Alliance has been instrumental in empowering local action on climate adaptation.
For more information on climate change impacts in the Sierra and opportunities to adapt to those changes, check out our Sierra Climate Change Toolkit: http://www.sierranevadaalliance.org/programs/db/pics/1133215435_14399.f_pdf.pdf
One member of this Sierra adaptation network is the Mono Lake Committee "Climate change will have huge impacts on Mono Lake. We were pleased to join a growing network of organizations and agencies working to adapt as well as reduce emissions to address climate change," says Geoff McQuilkin, Executive Director of the Mono Lake Committee, an organization that signed the Alliance's adaptation pledge.
Signatories to the pledge promise to be leaders on climate change adaptation by incorporating, whenever possible, seven adaptation principles into Sierra resource plans and projects. The seven principles will help local communities and ecosystems stay more resilient in the face of climate change. The principles are:
- Educate myself and others regarding global, national, statewide, and regional impacts of climate change;
- Identify possible future changes through modeling;
- Use adaptive management strategies to maintain flexibility;
- Monitor and track changes in weather, hydrology and ecosystems in my community, watershed and/or region;
- Promote the resiliency of existing ecosystems and minimize stressors to these systems;
- Prioritize projects that will succeed under multiple scenarios;
- Integrate and coordinate local efforts.
Climate change is a global issue but impacts are already being felt locally. In the Sierra Nevada, snow surveys show that as of April 30 snowpack was at 66% of normal. Last year it was at 72% of normal. Scientists are now predicting a 25 to 40% reduction in the snowpack by 2050. A reduction in snowpack will have implications for our drinking water supply, our watersheds, our agricultural production, our recreation, our industry- in short, nearly all aspects of our lives as well as California's economy and ecosystems rely on that water to thrive. Managers of our precious Sierra resources, such as the Forest Service, and local businesses, such as ski resorts, will need to change their practices in order to adapt to these shifting conditions or climate change will exacerbate existing threats to local jobs and to our irreplaceable landscapes.
To find out more about the Sierra Nevada Alliance Water & Climate Change Program and the Adaptation Pledge go to: http://www.sierranevadaalliance.org/programs/program.shtml?type=pgm01 Individuals may also call 530-542-4546 x 320 or email marion@sierranevadaalliance.org for more information.
The Sierra Nevada Alliance is a conservation non-profit organization that has been protecting and restoring Sierra lands, water, wildlife and communities since 1993.
Signatories of the Sierra Nevada Alliance Water & Climate Change Adaptation Pledge
1) Alpine Watershed Group
2) American Basin Council of Watersheds
3) American Rivers
4) APPLE
5) Butte Environmental Council
6) California Oak Foundation
7) California Outdoors
8) California Trout Eastern Sierra Program
9) California Wilderness Coalition
10) California Wildlife Foundation
11) Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation
12) Clover Valley Foundation
13) Defenders of Wildlife
14) Dry Creek Conservancy
15) Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch
16) Foothill Collaborative for Sustainability
17) Friends of the West Shore
18) High Sierra Rural Alliance
19) June Lake Advocates
20) Laguna Creek Watershed Council
21) League to Save Lake Tahoe
22) MERG
23) Mono Lake Committee
24) Mountain Area Preservation Foundation
25) Mountain Meadows Conservancy
26) Nevada Clean Power Co-Op
27) North Fork American River Alliance
28) Pesticide Research Institute
29) Planning and Conservation League
30) Placer County Planning Department
31) Protect American River Canyons
32) Restore Hetch Hetchy
33) Revive the San Joaquin
34) Sequoia Riverlands Trust
35) Sierra and Foothill Citizens Alliance
36) Sierra Club Maidu Group
37) Sierra Club Placer Group
38) Sierra Club Range of Light Group
39) Sierra Club Sierra Nevada Group, Mother Lode Chapter
40) Sierra Club Tahoe Area
41) Sierra Club Tehipite Chapter
42) The Sierra Fund
43) Sierra Watch
44) Snowlands Network
45) Sound Watershed Consulting
46) South Tahoe Public Utility District
47) The Sugar Pine Foundation
48) SYRCL
49) Tahoe-Baikal Institute
50) Tulare County Citizens for Responsible Growth
51) Upper Merced River Watershed Group
52) WildPlaces
53) Wolf Creek Community Alliance
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