Campaign Updates
Our monthly update on projects the Regional Climate Change Program is working on as part of our effort to maintain and improve the health of our beautiful "Range of Light."
Farmers more worried about policies than the effects of climate change, new study claims
September 30th, 2013
By Danny Lapin
Regional Climate Change Intern, Sierra Nevada Alliance
A new study from the University of California Davis states that California farmers feel more threatened by climate policy than by climate change itself. Published in the journal
Global Environmental Change, the study claims that farmers are more worried about government regulation as opposed to drought or water shortages.
A series of surveys were distributed throughout Yolo County to several farmers and ranchers to gather a sense of how climate policy was viewed amongst this key stakeholder group. In Yolo County, 54 percent of farmers believed that climate change while 35 percent out of that 54 percent acknowledged that humans played a role in climate change.
Farmers expressed distrust over new policies that required them to alter their practices stating that such policies would alter traditional practices that have been carried on for generations. Farmers viewed climate change as a far off threat that lacked the precedent to compete with day to day concerns.
Despite the negative initial findings of the study, 48 percent of the farmers said that they would participate in an incentive based program to implement climate conscious practices on their property. Supporting this finding was the fact that many farmers felt that they were able to trust policies that have been around for long enough and have demonstrated tangible benefits.
This study indicates a few key things for advocates and activists in and around the Sierra. First, there is a gap in the communication of climate policy and climate change to farmers and ranchers. Strong climate policy is developed through a series of short term goals leading up to a long term reduction in climate-related risk. Second, the messaging around climate change needs to be less centered on threats and the traditional doom-and-gloom paradigm but rather be centered on how business can be retooled to be successful in a changing climate.
Farmers and ranchers represent a key demographic in both the Central Valley and the Sierra and this study shows that climate messaging targeting this sector needs to be stepped up.
Events
By Dr. Kate Berry, Professor of Geography at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Water is significant in shaping the social dynamics of communities, most especially in arid lands. Yet communities within the same watershed often have different interests, aesthetics, geographies and histories, many of which may connect back to the role of water. This is true along the Truckee River, whose 100+ mile course connects Lake Tahoe with Pyramid Lake. This presentation provides insight into the roles that water has for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, considering how it has shaped the tribe’s water culture and water governance.
This is part of the Tahoe Environmental Research Center's monthly lecture series.
Date: November 14, 2013 5:30 PM
Place: Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, Room 139 & 141
291 Country Club Dr., Incline Village
More Information: Click Here
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in cooperation with local entities and organizations, is holding a Regional Forum to gather and share information relating to the California Water Plan and statewide and local Integrated Water Management. The Forum will also evaluate DWR’s regional approach, asking for feedback on ways to improve outreach.
Why Participate?
- The Forum agenda will provide an overview of the Public Review Draft for Update 2013 of the Water Plan. Information will focus on new and revised content, with details on how to submit comments on the document.
- Extra time will be spent discussing the North Lahontan regional report, which describes regional water conditions and the water management planning context.
- Discuss regional funding challenges, opportunities and lessons learned. Information and conversation will consider grant programs and match requirements.
- Hear updates on related programs: USFS – Forest Plan Revisions and Watershed Management Program (invited), Flood Future Report, and IRWM strategic plan.
- Influence DWR’s future outreach efforts.
- Representatives of water agencies and regional groups; local, state, Tribal and federal government; watershed and community groups; conservancies; and the public are welcome and needed for successful dialog.
Date: October 10
Location:South Lake Tahoe
More Information: Click here to register
Chatom Winery, Murphys
EPFW is hosting several evenings of films this year.
Enjoy environmental films with your neighbors.
September 28, Chatom Winery, Murphys
November 9, Columbia College, Columbia
Date: November 28th, 2013
Place: Columbia, CA
More Information: Click here for more information
Comic of the Month
Newsletter contents prepared by Danny Lapin.
If you have articles, events or announcements that you would like included in this newsletter or if you have feedback, please email danny@sierranevadaalliance.org.