Wisconsin
New Wisconsin DNR Report on Climate Change Adaptation
The Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources recently released a report summarizing the outcomes from a series of climate change workshops held for agency supervisors and program managers. The workshops brought together ninety DNR staff to learn about historic and projected changes to Wisconsin's climate and discuss impacts on resource management. The report identifies climate impacts and adaptation strategies in the areas of: Forestry; Fisheries and Wildlife; Water Resources; and Air, Waste, Wastewater, and Stormwater. Pre- and post-workshop surveys indicated that over 90% of participants learned that climate change will affect the resources they manage, and that adaptation to climate change was needed for successful future resource management. Click here for more information and a link to the report.
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Minnesota
Minnesota Legislature Focuses on Climate Change
| A sinkhole caused by the 2012 flood in Duluth, MN. |
In January 2013, state legislators from Minnesota convened a joint meeting of the House Capital Investment and Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance committees to discuss extreme weather. Climate change is intensifying many kinds of weather events in the Gopher State, including heavy rainfall and heat waves. State agency representatives, including staff from the Dept. of Natural Resources, talked about the management challenges posed by these kinds of events and the need for proactive adaptation. Follow this link for more information and for additional links to reports on climate change and extreme weather events in Minnesota.
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Michigan
Report connects climate change and economics in the U.P.
A new report released by Headwaters Economics describes several economic sectors that may be vulnerable to a changing climate and extreme weather events in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This report looks at the timber economy, travel and tourism, rural health care, and other socioeconomic factors. An interactive map also helps readers visualize the main results. This project designed to complement a recent study of climate change vulnerability and adaptation across the Lake Superior Watershed in the U.P., led by the Superior Watershed Partnership. Click here for a link to the full report. ________________________________________________________
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Suggested Reading
National reports on climate change impacts to forests and agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released two comprehensive reports that synthesize the scientific literature on climate change effects and adaptation strategies for U.S. agriculture and forests. The forestry report, entitled Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Forest Ecosystems: A Comprehensive Science Synthesis for the U.S. Forest Sector, is a supporting document for the National Climate Assessment. Scientists from federal agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, industry, tribal lands, and the private sector contributed to the peer-reviewed studies. The report evaluates current conditions and looks ahead to the next 25 to 100 years. There is also a specific regional summary for forests in the Midwest.
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A Superior Website
Climate change impacts in the Lake Superior Basin
The Lake Superior Bi-National forum recently launched a new outreach website to offer information about physical, biological, social, and economic impacts of climate change in the Northwoods. The site also compiles links to climate change news, research projects, planning guides, and educational resources. There are also specific resources for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario.
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Learn more about Adaptation Demonstration Projects in the Northwoods!
For more information about this newsletter or to suggest an item for a future issue, email Stephen Handler.
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