I believe it will be calming to get to know the world that is likely to be our home in the future rather than dreaming abut a world that could have been. The first step down the road to mental peace is to obtain a precise description of what the future is going to look like. Then to accept it. And finally to stop grieving.
—Jorgan Randars, 2052: A Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years
Climate Change and Planningwith Dr. Mark Stemen
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Cal-Adapt |
Cal-Adapt is a web-based climate-adaptation planning tool created for the California Energy Commission. Cal-Adapt allows the user to identify potential climate change risks in specific geographic areas throughout the state. Users can either query by location, or click on an interactive map to explore what climate impacts are projected to occur in their area of interest.
Cal-Adapt synthesizes volumes of existing downscaled climate change scenarios and climate impact research and presents it in an easily available, graphical layout that is intended to benefit local planning efforts. The source data used within the tool are available for download, as well as further information including research organizations that have developed the data, and relevant scientific publications.
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GEOG 506S |
Community Service Practice in Geography, also known as GEOG 506S, is a course offered by the Geography & Planning Department of California State University, Chico. The department designed the course to provide students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of geography and planning through an applied research project, as well as expose them to the everyday workings of a planning department in a medium-size town.
The theme for the Fall 2016 edition of GEOG 506 is Chico 2030-2050. With assistance from staff at the CEC, students will use the Cal-Adapt climate tools to forecast the climate in Chico for the period 2030-2050. With the data in hand, students will then meet with key staff at the City of Chico to catalog potential impacts to the community. The class will use this site to report on the possible mitigations to greenhouse gas production and the adaptations available to climate change that are already taking place.
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Chico, Today
Town founder John Bidwell chose Chico for its well-watered soils and Mediterranean climate. The winter snowmelt fed local streams all summer and the high water table supported a lush riparian tree canopy. Low intensity fires burned seasonally, regenerating the forested foothills. The warm days and cool nights extend the notoriously long California growing season even longer. While the summer heat can be oppressive in Chico, there are on average only three or four really hot (over 103) days a year.
Climate change will alter these foundational conditions of human settlement.
Sustainability
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The signing of the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement precipitated the creation of the Sustainability Task Force (STF) in 2007. Members of the STF represent various sectors of the community to provide input to the City Council on sustainability issues. The mission of the STF is to promote a culture of stewardship within our community to enhance our natural resources, economic interests, and quality of life for present and future generations in the City of Chico by collaboratively developing programs and initiatives which will distinguish Chico as a leader in Sustainability efforts.
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