H₂OSU is available at http://water.oregonstate.edu/newsletter/.
April 2007

The View from 210

Lots of things are happening vis-a-vis climate change.

On 27 March 2007 the National Science Foundation issued a press release about the results of a climate modeling study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wyoming (“New Modeling Study Forecasts Disappearance of Existing Climate Zones”). Some excerpts:

“A new climate modeling study forecasts the complete disappearance of several existing climates in tropical highlands and regions near the poles, while large swaths of the tropics and subtropics may develop new climates unlike any seen today.

In general, the models show that existing climate zones will shift toward higher latitudes and higher elevations, squeezing out the climates at the extremes--tropical mountaintops and the poles--and leaving room for unfamiliar climes and new ecological niches around the equator.

The work, by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wyoming, appears online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) during the week of March 26. The National Science Foundation (NSF) funded the research.

The most severely affected parts of the world span both heavily populated regions, including the southeastern United States, southeastern Asia, and parts of Africa, and known hotspots of biodiversity, such as the Amazonian rainforest and African and South American mountain ranges.”

The 1 April 2007 issue of the Santa Cruz Sentinel had an article by Gwen Mickelson on how “Global Warming Could Be Economic Boon to Some” as organizations seek expert advice on the effects global warming will have on water quantity, quality, aquatic ecosystems, etc. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that during 2004-2014, hydrologists will be among the fastest growing professions, with their numbers expected to increase from 8,000 to 11,000.

The 1 April 2007 issue of the New York Times featured a front page article by Andrew C. Revkin “Poorest Nations Will Bear Brunt as World Warms”. That comes as no surprise to most of us, but Revkin relates how the wealthy countries, despite treaty obligations to helper poorer nations deal with the effects of climate change “spend billions on themselves, millions on others.” Equatorial regions, some of which are already prone to drought, could stand to suffer even more from global warming. Since the industrial countries have been responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions, they must make a stronger commitment to ameliorate global warming effects in poor nations. My view is that universities are well-positioned to help developing nations, and OSU, with its excellence in the many facets of climate and water resources and its high number of socially-aware students, faculty, and staff, can make a difference. It’s something we must consider; the time to engage in hydrophilanthropy (or hydroaltruism) is here.

In its 3 April 2007 edition the Christian Science Monitor announced that it “…is launching a new long-term media initiative that will provide comprehensive coverage of global warming, both in print and online at csmonitor.com”. A Web site will feature articles, slide shows, audio and video reports, charts, graphs, interactive features, and links. The CSM will also feature an occasional series on adaptation to global warming. The series will commence on 5 April 2007 with an article on water resources and how individuals are adapting to challenges.

The 4 April 2007 edition of the New York Times has a story on “An Arid West No Longer Waits for Rain” (above the fold in the print edition). The article also includes a slide show.

On Friday, 6 April, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (www.ipcc.ch) will release the second volume of its Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The third volume, Mitigation of Climate Change, will be unveiled 4 May in Bangkok.

Abstracts are now being solicited for Water in the Pacific Northwest: Moving Science into Policy and Action and the American Water Resources Association Annual Conference, both of which fall in November and have abstract due dates in May 2007. For the latter, we are also seeking proposals for topical sessions or panel discussions; contact Technical Chair Karl Williard.

Speaking of hydrophilanthropy, three upcoming conferences will have sessions on water work focused on developing countries (two are still seeking abstracts):

• The upcoming, third Ground Water Summit, 29 April – 3 May -- Dave Sabatini (U of OK) and Vic Heilweil (USGS) will continue a tradition started at the first Summit by co-chairing a session on “Ground Water in Developing Countries”.
• The Geological Society of America meeting in Denver, 28-31 October 2007 -- Dave Kreamer of UNLV will be chairing a session on "Hydrogeological Research, Capacity Building and Teaching in the Developing World". Abstracts are due 10 July.
• The American Water Resources Association conference in November -- Dave Sabatini and I will be moderating a special session on “Hydrophilanthropy”. Abstracts are due 14 May.

The IWW Executive Committee met for the first time in a long time last March. Membership is as follows: John Selker (Chair), Denise Lach, Aaron Wolf, David Hibbs, Jeremy Frumkin,Wayne Huber, Sam Chan, Mary Santelmann, Michael Harte and yours truly (ex officio). At its meeting the EC approved the addition of a student member, and we have asked the Hydrophiles to assume the responsibility for naming one. Our next meeting will be 5 April, 3-4:30, Strand 216. Our main tasks will be to discuss appointments to an IWW External Advisory Board and to a variety of IWW committees (Facilities; Education and Diversity; Research, Funding, and Development; Outreach and Public Relations). Interested in serving? Let me know.

Jeff McDonnell has assembled an all-start cast for the Spring Hydrology Seminar Series “Tracers in Hydrology”, each Wednesday, 4-5 pm in ALS 4000, from 11 April through 6 June. Download the flyer at the IWW WWW site (upper right corner).

Finally, a former student just sent me a copy of a bill pending in the Nevada State Senate. It prohibits, among other things, the coordination of land and water management. As he said, “Small minds are starting to think really big.” If you want to see an April Fools’ Day blog that pokes fun at the Silver State (among others), see the 1 April post at: http://aquadoc.typepad.com/waterwired/. 

Till next month,
Michael

In honor of the start of the major league baseball season, this month’s quote springs from the lips of one of the all-time great sports philosophers:

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." -- Yogi Berra

Congratulations

Sarah Marshall, a Ph.D. student in Water Resources Engineering, was recently awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship will provide her with three years of tuition and stipend support. Congratulations, Sarah!

Get Involved

Join the Journal Club for the Spring Hydrology Seminar Series! - Meet with the seminar speakers and gain insight into the use of Tracers in Hydrology. Students can sign up for credit (WRS 505). Seminars meet weekly Wednesday, April 11 - Wednesday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. in ALS 4000. FMI: Jeff McDonnell, Department of Forest Engineering.

Volunteer at the 14th Annual Children’s Clean Water Festival on Thursday April 12! - Come meet the next generation of water professionals at this annual event held in Portland. Contact Todd Jarvis if you want to help out or go along for the ride. We have brought a groundwater flow model to this event for the past couple of years -- it is an amazing event to view!

Do people hear your a hydrologist and suddenly start asking you questions about their wells? Gain valuable knowledge that may help you out at Grandma's, cocktail parties, and on the job by taking Gail Andrew's Well Water Public Outreach Class. Following the class, participants should be able to: answer basic questions about drinking water safety, well and septic system maintenance, household water testing & treatment, and "the rules and regulations". Course has credit and non-credit options and is designed for students and water outreach professionals. Meets on the following days: April 6, 2 - 3 p.m. (for participants taking the class for credit); April 20, 2 - 5 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 10 - 4 p.m. FMI: Gail Andrews, 541-737-6294, http://wellwater.oregonstate.edu.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 5, 4:00 p.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center C&E Auditorium. Preparing Resource Professionals for an Uncertain World (Starker Lecture Series). Speaker: Jerry Franklin, professor of Ecosystem Science, University of Washington.

Monday, April 9, 6:00-7:00 p.m., UO Law School Room 110. Public Forum discussing the Supreme Court's ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA. The majority opinion held that the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by motor vehicles. Come discuss the possible implications as well as the hot topics (e.g. standing, justiciability, authority, discretion) addressed in the majority and dissenting opinions. FMI: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/06pdf/05-1120.pdf.

Wednesday, April 11 - Wednesday, June 6 4:00 p.m., Ag Life Science (ALS) 4000. Tracers in Hydrology (Spring Hydrology Seminar Series). Meets weekly throughout Spring Term. Students can sign up for credit (WRS 507) and can also sign up for the journal club (WRS 505). FMI: Jeff McDonnell, Department of Forest Engineering.

Thursday, April 20-Friday, April 21, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon. Pacific Northwest Sustainability Conference, Creating Synergies: Community, University and Business. The meeting will provide a forum for business leaders, professionals, scholars, students and activists from throughout the Northwest to share experiences, network and explore opportunities for collaboration. Students attend free (but you must register) and there are scholarships available to defray travel costs. To present, organize a panel discussion, or set up an information table, please complete the online submission form by April 10.

Link to a calendar of other upcoming water-related events...

Funding Opportunities

NASA ROSES Energy and Water Cycle Study (NEWS) - The long-term challenge of this program is documenting and enabling improved, observationally based, predictions of water and energy cycle consequences of Earth system variability and change. This challenge requires documenting and predicting trends in the rate of the Earth's water and energy cycling that corresponds to climate change and changes in the frequency and intensity of naturally occurring related meteorological and hydrologic events, which may vary as climate may vary in the future. Notice of intent due April 18, 2007; full proposals due: June 18, 2007.

NSF Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement - This program seeks to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for all undergraduate students. The program supports efforts to create new learning materials and teaching strategies, develop faculty expertise, implement educational innovations, assess learning and evaluate innovations, and conduct research on STEM teaching and learning. The program supports three types of projects representing three different phases of development, ranging from small, exploratory investigations to large, comprehensive projects. Proposals due May 9, 2007.

NSF International Research and Education: Planning Visits and Workshops - These awards can support the initial phases of developing and coordinating integrated research and education activities with foreign partners. Support is primarily for travel and subsistence expenses. Individual proposals can be submitted for planning visits to have detailed discussions with prospective foreign partners or joint workshops focused on a specific, well-defined area of research collaboration. Proposals due May 20, 2007.