1. Climate Change in California: Facing Certain Uncertainties
John R. Blue, CalEPA

2. Whether the Weather Known Unknowns
Models – who knew climate could be so complicated?
More precipitation or less?
Most likely: more of it will be rain and less snow
Sea level rise? Snow level Rise!
Known Unknowns

3. Known
More energy =
More extremes

4. This time it’s Definitely Climate Change!
Individual events—drought, floods, etc.—might be linked to climate change
Preponderance of evidence
Definitely challenging our systems

5. More Reading Indicators of Climate Change in California
Changes in climate
Impacts on physical systems (e.g., water)
Impacts on biological systems
Update due out fall 2017

6. Current and Future Impacts
Extreme Weather events
Reduced snow pack
Prolonged fire seasons
Increased tree mortality
Heat waves
Sea level rise
Storm surge

7. Source: Cal-adapt.org

8. Source: Cal-adapt.org

9. What are we doing about it?
Improving the science through research
Reducing GHG emissions (Scoping Plan, Under 2 MOU, etc)
Preparing for impacts (Safeguarding California, Sea level rise guidance, etc)

11. State Water Resources Control Board
Resolution No : Comprehensive Response to Climate Change
GHG emissions (SLCP, conservation, recycled water, storm water, energy efficiency)
Ecosystem Resilience (headwaters, restoration, carbon sequestration, healthy soils, fires)
Respond to Impacts (vulnerability assessment, protect drinking water systems, review siting criteria, develop new and underutilized resources)
Modeling and Analyses (and work with local/regional)
Funding (Include climate change in funding consideration)

12. Regional Efforts
Regional water boards
Local governments

13. A Stitch in time saves nine
Public resources are limited
Avoid stranding assets
Protecting Capital Investments

14. Power plants vulnerable to
Exhibit A
Power plants vulnerable to
1.4 meter sea level rise

15. Exhibit B
Oroville Dam Spillway

16. The Water Energy Nexus SB 1425 Water energy nexus registry
Contract July 2017
Public process
Balancing Rigor with ease of use

17. Governor Jerry Brown, January 2017 State of the State Address
We cannot fall back and give in to the climate deniers. The science is clear. The danger is real. We can do much on our own and we can join with others – other states and provinces and even countries, to stop the dangerous rise in climate pollution. And we will.
Governor Jerry Brown, January 2017 State of the State Address

18. John Blue, Manager CalEPA Climate Change Program