Climate Impacts on the Pacific Northwest

Winter Quarter 2009
ATMS 585A / ENVIR 585A / ESS 585A / SMA 585A
Amy Snover & Nathan Mantua

Writing Assignments

Essays are due at the beginning of class; no late assignments will be accepted.

Expectations: Go beyond the readings in your writing, but use them as your foundation; present a clear, focused, well developed and substantiated argument; write clearly and carefully; and get the facts right.

Use the electronic drop box for assignment submission.

Length = 700 words maximum!

Essay Due Date Assignment

#1

April 21

Dramatic changes in streamflow patterns are among the major impacts of climate change projected for the Columbia River basin, and these are expected to have significant negative impacts on salmon (e.g., challenges of meeting current instream flow requirements under existing water resources operating rules). Describe and evaluate one or two potential approaches for resolving conflicts that are likely to be exacerbated with efforts to provide adequate instream flows for NW salmon in the Columbia River basin in a warmer future. What obstacles (e.g., economic, political, institutional, and/or ecological considerations) would be associated with these approaches?

#2

April 28

The 4-H's have been widely cited as primary causes for the "northwest salmon crisis". If the problems in today's salmon populations are due to habitat degradation, hydropower dams, salmon hatcheries, and over-harvest, what are solutions to the future risks posed by global warming? Describe a few specific actions that state and federal agencies might take to alleviate the risks posed to salmon by future climate changes. Evaluate the pros and cons of the actions you've listed in terms of their political, economic, legal and/or ecological implications.

#3

May 5

"After all, what's the use of having developed a science well enough to make predictions, if in the end, all we are willing to do is stand around and wait for them to come true?" Sherwood Rowland, Nobel Laureate


Given the uncertainty associated with projected impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems and the demands placed on forests, is it sensible for forest managers to alter current management practices in light of projected climate change? Or does it make more sense to wait until more is known? Please specify from whose point of view you're answering the question (private lands managers, multiple-use reserve managers, and/or wilderness or national park managers) and provide specific examples to back up your position

#4

May 12

Given that (1) sea level rise will likely exacerbate beach erosion and coastal landsliding, (2) many of the sea level rise responses involve land use management choices, and (3) there is a growing polarity in society regarding private property rights vis a vis government's traditional role in managing land use, what is the most politically viable way to successfully prepare for/respond to sea level rise in Washington and Oregon and why?

#5

May 26

Based on our readings and discussions from throughout the quarter, identify the characteristics of resource planning or management situations in which climate information should be (1) highly valuable and (2) of very limited utility. Justify your reasoning and provide at least one specific example for each case.