- Author: Carole Hom
From the Public Policy Institute of California:
How important is water to California's economy? And how vulnerable is the state's economy to weaknesses in the water system? At this half-day event—coinciding with the release of the new PPIC report Water and the California Economy—participants will examine these questions and discuss priorities for water management.
Please register by May 31—space is limited. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided and there is no charge to attend.
For a conference agenda or to register, please see the PPIC website.
- Author: Carole Hom
To promote U.S. graduate student participation in this international experience, the NSF Geoscience Divisions and the Office of International Science and Engineering are funding scholarships to cover U.S. carrier airfare, stipend, and course expenses (including lodging).
Interested students in U.S. graduate programs should email a two-page CV and one-page statement, including how the program would benefit their professional development as a researcher and educator, to nsfusspscholarship@gmail.com. In addition, students should arrange to have a reference letter from their primary adviser emailed directly to the above address. Deadline for receipt of all application material is 27 April 2012.
- Author: Carole Hom
The Department of Meteorology at Valparaíso University (Chile, not Indiana...) and the Meteorological Service of the Chilean Navy are pleased to issue the first notice of call for the "Second Meeting of Atmospheric Modeling" to be held 17-19 October 2012 in the halls of the Naval Museum, Chile.
This meeting aims to give the opportunity to exchange scientific ideas, news and issues in the area of atmospheric modeling, along with allowing the integration of students and young researchers in this area.
Oral presentations and posters (preferably in Spanish) may be submitted until 15 July 2012.
For more information, to submit papers, or to register, see the conference website.Museo Naval y Marítimo, Valparaíso, Chile
- Author: Carole Hom
The Sacramento Bee today included an op-ed by two hydrologists criticizing a proposal by Cadiz, Inc., to tap groundwater beneath the Mojave Desert for sale to southern California water utilities. Authors John Bredehoeft, a former USGS staffer, and Newsha Ajami, with the Pacific Institute, questioned the project's sustainability because the proposed extraction rate exceeds the estimated natural recharge rate and noted its potential for negative impact upon the desert ecosystem.
The sale only needs approval by San Bernardino County. If approved, it sets a precedent for future sale of groundwater -- a public good -- for private gain. The op-ed ended with a call for state policy to manage groundwater and revision of California groundwater laws.
For more information, see the project description and EIR from the Santa Margarita Water District, a commentary from science writer Peter Gleick, and perspectives from local journalists, broadcasters, and others.
- Author: Carole Hom
According to Tom Tietenberg, yes!
Tietenberg, writing in the journal Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, evaluates consilience -- the linking together of principles from different disciplines to form new constructs -- in bringing new ideas to the management of natural resources and the environment. He finds that cross-fertilization has been important to developing new methods, perspectives, and policy instruments.
Take a look at the article, or if you're a CCWAS IGERT trainee, skim it now and download it for reference later -- you're apt to see this again!
