DCDC hosts Water/Climate Briefings on a regular basis. These briefings are a regular forum for the water-policy community, DCDC researchers, and students to exchange knowledge and ideas. The typical format is a panel of experts and community partners discussing issues such as the urban heat island, water re-use, and the energy-water nexus, followed by audience participation and questions. Since the launch of DCDC, we have hosted four to seven briefings each year, with panelists representing the scientific and professional perspectives.
Moving forward, we plan to tie Water/Climate Briefings to themes for the entire academic year and highlight the current DCDC research portfolio. Each briefing will be tailored for specific audiences and purposes. An annual Keynote will be delivered by a renowned scientist or policy professional to present a ‘grand challenge’ for the science-policy community to catalyze deliberation. The Keynote will be followed up in subsequent Water/Climate Briefings to explore basic science questions and policy implications of responding to the grand challenge.
2012-2013 Water/Climate Briefings – Dynamics of Water in an Urban Ecosystem
April 23, 2013 – The Future of Arizona’s Forests: Anticipating the effects of climate change and fire on water sustainability
Arizona’s forests are not only mountain playgrounds for recreation and tourism but also sustain critical ecosystem functions such as water storage, filtration, and release for downstream uses.
In the face of climate change, forest ecosystems are being stressed from higher temperatures and lower precipitation, making them more vulnerable to insect infestations and more frequent and intense wildfires.
The impacts of climate and landscape changes and wildfire include increased erosion, sedimentation, and warmer water temperatures, which in turn affect municipal water supplies and riparian habitats.
Please join us as we explore the critical research and policy priorities regarding the interaction between Arizona’s climate, forests, and water.
Panelists
Erik Nielsen
Assistant Professor
School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability
Northern Arizona University
Thomas Sisk
Olajos-Goslow Professor of Environmental Science and Policy
Northern Arizona University
Abe Springer
Professor of Geology
Northern Arizona University
Dave White
Moderator and Co-Director
Decision Center for a Desert City
Arizona State University
When
Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Location
Decision Center for a Desert City, 21 East 6th Street, Suite 126B, Tempe [Map]
DCDC Water/Climate Briefing – April 23, 2013 from DCDC@ASU on Vimeo.
March 6, 2013 – Environment and Water: Decision-support Tools for Managing Ecosystem Services in Arizona
Humans benefit from a multitude of resources and services that are supplied by ecosystems.
ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability is undertaking research on the contribution of Arizona’s ecosystems to sustainable economic growth, job creation, and human wellbeing in Arizona.
Ecosystem services being studied include water quality and quantity, erosion control, fire regulation, recreation and tourism, grazing, and disease regulation. The discussion will highlight the new and innovative scientific methods being developed to assess ecosystem services and how potential changes in land use would affect the present and future delivery and value of these ecosystem services.
Panelists
Ann Kinzig
Professor, School of Life Sciences
Co-Director, ecoServices Group
Chief Research Strategist, Global Institute of Sustainability
Charles Perrings
Professor of Environmental Economics
Co-Director, ecoServices Group
School of Life Sciences
When
Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Location
Decision Center for a Desert City, 21 East 6th Street, Suite 126B, Tempe [Map]
DCDC Water/Climate Briefing – March 6, 2013 from DCDC@ASU on Vimeo.
February 27, 2013 – The Dynamics of Energy and Water for Central Arizona Agriculture
Water, energy, and policy are intimately linked in the West.
Irrigated agriculture is particularly sensitive to changes in the source and price of energy, with implications for water demand, land use and economic activity in Central Arizona.
- In what ways is Central Arizona agriculture sensitive to changing energy policy?
- How can irrigation districts and farmers cope with the dynamics of energy and water prices?
- What might different energy scenarios mean for the viability of central Arizona agriculture?
Panelists
Brian Betcher, General Manager, Maricopa Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage District
Ed Gerak, General Manager, Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District
Katosha Nakai, Manager, Tribal Relations and Policy Development, Business Planning and Governmental Programs, Central Arizona Project
Ron Rayner, Partner/Manager, A Tumbling T Ranches
Karen Smith, Fellow, Grand Canyon Institute
When
Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 3:00-4:30p.m.
Location
Decision Center for a Desert City, 21 East 6th Street, Suite 126B, Tempe [Map]
DCDC Water/Climate Briefing – February 27, 2013 from DCDC@ASU on Vimeo.
November 14, 2012 – Dynamics of Water in Urban Ecosystems: Effluent for the Environment
The reuse of effluent, otherwise known as reclaimed or recycled water, is becoming more and more of a commodity as water resource manager’s deal with tightening water budgets. It has many uses including groundwater recharge, cooling for industrial uses and irrigation for crops, public parks and golf courses. Now, it is even being considered as a drinking water supply in places using groundwater recharge/recovery or “toilet-to-tap” technology.
With its many beneficial uses possibly one of the most important is its utilization to support natural environments. Across the country, water that was once considered a nuisance is now being sought after for environmental stream flows and projects such as the Tres Rios wetlands in Phoenix and the Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson, both of which create wildlife habitat using effluent.
Panelists
Peter Fox, Ph.D., Professor, ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Tom Hildebrandt, Wildlife Program Manager (retired), AZ Game & Fish, Central Arizona Regions
Bruce Prior, Hydrologist, City of Tucson Water Department
Robert F. Upham, P.E., Project Manager, Water Resources Division, City of Phoenix
When
Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Location
Decision Center for a Desert City, 21 East 6th Street, Suite 126B, Tempe [Map]
DCDC Water/Climate Briefing – November 14, 2012 from DCDC@ASU on Vimeo.
October 10, 2012 – Dynamics of Water in Urban Ecosystems: Green Infrastructure
The term green infrastructure has been used to refer to everything from green roofs to more ecologically friendly stormwater management systems and large networks of natural areas. What these different usages have in common is a basic recognition that our built environment and our ecological environment are connected and interrelated.
Green infrastructure planning is an approach that can improve urban infrastructure to maintain healthy waters, provide multiple environmental benefits, and support sustainable communities.
Panelists
Mounir El Asmar, Assistant Professor, ASU School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Engineering
Irene Ogata, Urban Landscape Manager, City of Tucson
Kelli Sertich, Floodplain Management and Services Division Manager, Maricopa County
Ken Vonderscher, Deputy Director, Parks and Recreation for the City of Phoenix
When
Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Location
Decision Center for a Desert City, 21 East 6th Street, Suite 126B, Tempe [Map]
DCDC Water/Climate Briefing – October 10, 2012 from DCDC@ASU on Vimeo.
September 5, 2012 – Dynamics of Water in an Urban Ecosystem
In our first Water/Climate Briefing for 2012-2013, DCDC sets the stage with a broad-based discussion of future topics related to this year’s theme: The dynamic role of water within urban ecosystems in relation to the management of cities and regions of Arizona. Our panelists will explore:
- Effluent and Environmental Systems
- Impact of Climate Change on Riparian Systems
- Stormwater: Green Infrastructure Systems
- Quantifying Water Use for Ecosystem Services
- Water Use Within Public Features
- The Impact of Environmental Stresses on Water Quality
We hope to provide opportunities for researchers, water resource managers, and the public to gain insight to the challenges of water within our urban places and ecosystems.
Panelists
Dan Childers, Moderator and Professor, ASU School of Sustainability
Juliet Stromberg, Associate Professor, ASU School of Life Sciences
Aimée Conroy, Deputy Water Services Director, City of Phoenix
Sarah Porter, Executive Director, Audubon Arizona
When
Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Location
Decision Center for a Desert City, 21 East 6th Street, Suite 126B, Tempe [Map]
DCDC Water/Climate Briefing – September 5, 2012 from DCDC@ASU on Vimeo.