Tally of Climate Change Media Coverage

Media coverage of climate change continues to decline. Estimates put total coverage from major media outlets near 30 total minutes for 2011.

Read on: http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2012/01/03/396546/silence-of-the-lambs-media-herd-coverage-climate-change-drops-again/?mobile=nc

Takuu Aid Project, Award Winning Film

The Newport Surfrider chapter shared this announcement regarding the devastating impacts of climate change on the island of Takuu, a tiny low-lying atoll in the South Western Pacific.

There’s hope in the Pacific!

The sinking Pacific Island of Takuu has been receiving attention from around the world!

We’d like to take a moment to give a shout out to Dave Rawlins for his Takuu Island Aid Fundraising Event!

On behalf of the people of Takuu, we thank you!

In recent news…

We are very pleased to announce that the documentary “There Once Was an Island: Te Henua e Nnoho” has won over 25 awards!

Thank you to everyone who supports our important message!

There Once Was an Island: Te Henua e Nnoho

tells the intimate story of Teloo, Endar and Satty as they battle the first effects of climate change.

Coping with rising ocean levels, salt-water contamination that vanquishes their crops and a terrifying tidal flood that rips through and destroys everything - including their school, their plight is real.

They may be among the world’s first environmental refugees… You can watch the trailer here.

With great depth, director Briar March explores Takuu’s community, culture and characters, transforming climate crisis from being vague and “out there” to something immediate and highly personal.

The DVD can be Purchased here.

To all our supporters and followers, we hope that you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Please continue to help Takuu’s message be heard!

“This emotionally charged documentary had audiences in tears… It will completely change your outlook on life.” Raindance Film Festival

VISIT OUR SITE  

CCCAP Meeting Today

Today is the February meeting for the Coastal Climate Change Adaptation Project. We will meet on the second floor of the Newport Visual Arts Center (777 NW Beach Dr.) at 5:30pm. Please join us as we wrap up outreach planning and complete the statement of purpose for our draft wetlands ordinance.

Changes in the Arctic

People of the Arctic are finding themselves caught in a tangle of climate induced change to their environment and the economic opportunism of outsiders hoping to capitalize on opening of the Northwest Passage. The Arctic Institute published this article highlighting the struggles and adaptive capabilities of the people of the Far North.

Find the full article here: http://www.thearcticinstitute.org

Wetland Classification & Impacts on Management

Mary Kentula, a wetlands ecologist for the EPA and guest speaker at our January meeting, suggested making Barbara Bedford’s paper (co-authored by Dr. Kentula) on wetland classification available to the group. Mary’s talk put emphasis on the role of evaluating wetland types to influence management decisions.

You can find a  copy of the original journal article here: http://www.eli.org/pdf/wsSymposium/AppendixA/gwinpaper.pdf

Adaptation Fact Sheets from Sea Grant Alaska

The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program has put together short fact sheets on climate change impacts and adaptive measures for several of the critical issues facing the state. The content is Alaska-specific, but take a look and let us know what you think- which, if any, impacts and adaptation strategies do you think might apply to your community?

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/map/climate/index.php

Satellite Data Looks at Melting Land Ice

Researchers at UC Boulder used data from NASA’s GRACE satellite to measure losses of land ice for the entire surface of the earth  between 2003 and 2010.

Get the details at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209100544.htm

New Climate Change Tool from Ramsar

From Mary Kentula:

A new web-based tool has been created to help wetland managers project the impacts of climate change in the next 50 years. The tool is formally launched today on World Wetlands Day. 
The tool is currently for England and Wales, but we plan to extend its coverage to other countries and regions in the near future and the concept will be of interest world-wide. 
  
http://www.ceh.ac.uk/sci_programmes/Water/Wetlands/ClimateChangeAssessmentToolforWetlands.html 
  
The tool allows the user to plug-in various details of their wetland, such as geographical location, , wetland type, and subject of interest (plants, birds, archaeology etc.). Water source is one key input; currently the tools works for rainfall and river wetlands, functionality for groundwater-fed wetlands will follow shortly. The tool uses data from the UK Climate Projections programme and interactive results are presented based on 10, 000 realisations of future climate. The outputs show whether there is likely to be large, medium, or negligible impact on the wetland. 
  
The tool was developed by scientists at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and its partners (Open University, British Geological Survey, University College London, University of Exeter with sponsorship from the Wetland Vision partnership (led by Environment Agency, with Natural England, English Heritage, Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust). 
  
http://www.wetlandvision.org.uk/ 
  
Project leader Professor Mike Acreman, from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology said, “The tool brings together our best available science and presents results in an easy to use form.” 
  
http://www.ceh.ac.uk/StaffWebPages/ProfessorMikeAcreman.html 

  
  

National Wetland Inventory

The EPA is conducting a nation-wide assessment of wetland conditions. This video talks about the effort and provides some basic information about wetlands and the services they provide.

See the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFcGeDN81Zw

Panel Discussion Tomorrow

Don’t forget to attend tomorrow’s panel discussion on climate change and water resources  in the main hall of the Yachats Commons at 7:00pm. Panelists include Ken Williamson, Chris Surfleet, and Anne Nolin. Dr. Williamson is an environmental and civil engineer, former Director of the Oregon Water Resources Research Institute, and currently heads the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering at OSU.  Dr. Williamson will introduce the topic with a general discussion of climate change and potential impacts to resources and infrastructure for Oregon’s coastal communities. Dr. Surfleet, a forest engineer, will discuss his research on the impacts of climate change on hydrology in the Cascades. Dr. Nolin, a climatologist, will discuss her research to identify “at risk” areas in the Pacific Northwest vulnerable to the hydrological impacts of a warming climate. The event will take place at the Yachats Commons on Tuesday, January 31^st at 7:00pm.  

Water Panel Flyer