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Carpe Diem - Western Water & Climate Change
Climate changes in the western United States are already affecting western water through warming
(more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow), and extreme weather events (flooding and
long-term drought). Even if carbon emissions were immediately capped at current levels, the
West would continue to warm and the weather would become increasingly unpredictable. Addressing
the unprecedented shift brought by changing climate patterns necessitates a fundamental
re-thinking of how the West's water is stored and delivered, ecosystems are protected,
agriculture continues, and how all people have access to adequate, clean water.
The West's water infrastructure, management systems, laws and policies are based on two assumptions:
First, that there will be predictable big winter snowpacks (storage) followed by spring run-off.
Second, that additional supplies of inexpensive water can always be found. Climate change turns
these assumptions on their head.
Launched Fall 2007, the Carpe Diem - Western Water & Climate Change project's
work is based on the belief that the climate change challenge is unprecedented and requires not
just new solutions but a new framework for sustainably and equitably managing the West's water
and watersheds.
The Carpe Diem project is building on and connecting current work to develop a pragmatic, common ground,
West-wide framework to address climate change impacts on western water supply and ecosystems, developing joint strategies,
projects and best practices. The goal is to, by 2010, create an initial shared platform and action plan among key
stakeholders and decision makers for sustainable and equitable adaptation strategies. The project:
Provides a neutral convening ground: Engaging diverse stakeholders and sector leaders,
the Project is establishing a network of decision makers who want to find common ground, pragmatic
solutions and policies
Assesses 'tipping point' opportunities: Through field analysis and stakeholder network,
the Project identifies and scopes opportunities for new approaches and alliances
Develops capacity and resources for the field: Through communications research and training; establishing
learning communities and on line communications forums; informing and engaging philanthropy to support the field.
Project Team:
Sarah Bates, Western Progress
Holly Hartmann, CLIMAS, University of Arizona
Doug Kenney, Western Water Policy Program, University of Colorado, Boulder
Lillian Kawasaki, Water Replenishment District of Southern California & Los Angles Department of Water & Power (ret.)
Steve Malloch, National Wildlife Federation
Bill Mitchell, Flatcoat Consulting & Alki Fund
Jennifer Sokolove, Compton Foundation
Frances Spivy-Weber, California State Water Resources Control Board
Anne Watkins, Office of the State Engineer (ret.) New Mexico
Steve Whitney, Bullitt Foundation
Kimery Wiltshire, Exloco
Support for the Project: (since Fall 2007)
Alki Fund of the Tides Foundation; Bullitt Foundation; Campbell Foundation; Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund;
Wilburforce Foundation and, individual donors; with additional support from the Biophilia Foundation;
CH2M Hill; Energy Foundation; King County, Washington; Messengers of the Healing Winds Foundation;
SB Fund; Thaw Charitable Trust. The 2009 project budget is $425,000.
Additional information
Project Summary December 2008
Project summary
Situation Assessment - October 2008
Convening Summary - Albuquerque, May 29, 2008
Convening Summary - Seattle January 2008
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