** Climate "hot spot" worsens water loss in the West
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, August 10, 2020
The Colorado River flows through the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area located near Grand Junction, Colorado. Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed])
According to an analysis by the Washington Post ([link removed]) , the largest area of land in the lower 48 states to have warmed more than two degrees celsius since record keeping began in 1895 is a cluster of counties that straddles the border between Colorado and Utah. The region is experiencing a 20-year drought ([link removed]) made worse by the impacts of climate change.
The Colorado River supports 40 million people ([link removed]) living in the Western United States and Mexico, not to mention a multi-billion dollar agriculture industry. Scientists say the average flow of the Colorado River has declined nearly 20 percent ([link removed]) over the past century, half of which is caused by warming temperatures. As annual snowpack declines and melts earlier, the ground absorbs more heat and more water is lost to evaporation. The total loss of water from the Colorado River due to diminished snowpack and climate change is estimated ([link removed]) to be 1.5 billion tons, enough water to sustain 14 million people for a year.
Quick hits
** National Park Service acting director announces sudden departure
------------------------------------------------------------
National Parks Traveler ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** Podcast: The fight to save Bristol Bay
------------------------------------------------------------
Go West, Young Podcast ([link removed])
** Leadership of the Bureau of Land Management is turning into a fierce political fight
------------------------------------------------------------
National Public Radio ([link removed])
** Wyoming's relationship to oil predates statehood, so what does a future with less drilling look like?
------------------------------------------------------------
Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
** Climate "hot spot" worsens water loss in the West
------------------------------------------------------------
Washington Post ([link removed])
** Opinion: 30x30 proposal to save nature can conserve treasured landscapes
------------------------------------------------------------
Las Cruces Sun News ([link removed])
** Interior political appointee's controversial role in opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing
------------------------------------------------------------
Politico ([link removed])
** Opinion: The Trump administration should have bet on renewables, not coal
------------------------------------------------------------
The Hill ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Coal production depends on demand, and the sector has relied on the power sector for over 90 percent of its use. As the power sector evolves, coal consumption has declined. Cheaper and cleaner sources of energy, such as wind and solar, are displacing coal, and moving into the market share of natural gas in different states such as California and New York.”
—Carolyn Kissane ([link removed]) , PhD ([link removed]) , New York University Center for Global Affairs
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
The contrast of delicate flowers & jagged mountains dominating the horizon
@GrandTetonNPS ([link removed]) create a wonderful scene perfect for pictures & memories #Wyoming ([link removed])
============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
