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Western Governors’ Association: Drought and Climate Adaptation September 14, 2010 Sarah Cottrell Deputy Cabinet Secretary New Mexico Environment Department Western Governors’ Association WGA brings together Western states to: Develop policy and address important governance issues. Advance the role of the states regionally and at the national level. Develop and manage innovative programs related to natural resources, the environment, economic development, international relations and state governance. WGA Climate Adaptation Policy Policy Resolution 09-2: Supporting the Integration of Climate Change Adaptation Science in the West Sponsored by Govs Richardson and Schwarzenegger Promotes the following principles: Planning for climate adaptation among all levels of government Funding for research to improve climate science and information Development of a National Climate Service connecting social, health and economic trends to climate change Establishes a WGA Climate Adaptation Work Group WGA Climate Adaptation Work Group Climate Adaptation Working Group Statewide Climate Programs Ginny Brannon Lis Cohen Kurt Malchow Jackie Poston Spencer Reeder Mark Robbins Doug Robotham Public Health and Climate Office of the Governor California Natural Resources Agency Alaska Department of Natural Resources Washington Department of Ecology Alaska Office of the Governor Colorado Department of Natural Resources Water and Western States Water Council Nathan Bracken Tony Willardson Western States Water Council Jeanine Jones California Department of Water Resources Air and Western Regional Air Partnership Cheryl Heying Mary Uhl Utah Air Quality New Mexico Air Quality Forestry and Health Advisory Council Julie Altemus Montana DNRC – Forests Wildlife and Western Governors’ Wildlife Council Bob Broscheid Holly Michael Arizona Game and Fish Oregon Fish and Wildlife Climate Adaptation Scoping Report Written by WGA Work Group and federal, academic, and NGO partners. Adopted by Governors in June 2010. Identifies key state needs: Incorporating climate change into existing planning and management processes; Providing science that is useful for policy decision-making; Collaborating across disciplines, agencies, and sectors. Water managers are a key audience for this report. Next Steps WGA will work with partners to implement recommendations Training and Outreach: Integrating climate into ongoing state planning processes Providing detailed guidance for state-level planning to governors, resource managers, et al. Implementing Pilots that cross boundaries and sectors Prioritizing Science Needs Establishing state-federal-tribal Western Climate Adaptation Support Team Advocating for federal legislation Drought and Climate Adaptation Complementary actions Gov. Richardson called for at National Climate Adaptation Summit (May ’10): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Robust regional, national, and global climate models that help decision-makers plan for climate change impacts, with emphasis on improving regional models; More effective coordination between states and the federal government, including data-sharing through a single internet portal; A Climate Adaptation Fund and Climate Action Corps; A climate change resilience plan for our oceans; and Incorporate climate change into everyday water planning processes. Contact Information Sarah Cottrell Deputy Cabinet Secretary – New Mexico Environment Department [email protected] or 505-827-2855 WGA: Tom Iseman [email protected] Madeleine West [email protected]