Roger Bales, Principal Investigator at Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory, published an Op-Ed this week in the Fresno Bee, a newspaper distributed in the Central Valley-Sierra Nevada region. He brings the effects of climate change and importance of the ongoing UN Climate Conference in Paris (COP21) home for Valley readers-- and explains how California can pave the way to a sustainable future. Check out some of the article highlights below. Read the entire opinion piece in the Fresno Bee.

Climate change impacts on a local level

"As the Earth’s temperature rises, increases in the Valley’s minimum nighttime temperature, maximum daytime temperature and daily average temperature over the annual cycle will affect agricultural crops, air pollution, worker productivity, electricity demand and many other aspects of our lives, ecosystems and economy.

Together, increases in temperature and shifts in precipitation will affect water storage, inter-annual availability of water for agriculture and cities, groundwater withdrawals, drought incidence, evaporative demand across the landscape, wildfire incidence and extent, wildlife habitat and more."

California as a leader for global sustainability 

California can lead the way to a more secure global future, and the Valley will realize economic and social gains by being part of that leadership.

"California can lead the way to a more secure global future, and the Valley will realize economic and social gains by being part of that leadership. As we continue switching from a fossil-fuel economy to one based on renewable energy, we will see continued job growth, better air quality and a healthier environment."

University of CA takes strides to tackle climate challenges

"At the recent [University of California] Carbon and Climate Neutrality Summit, we released a report on “Ten Scalable Solutions for Carbon Neutrality and Climate Stability” as a practical road map for other parts of the world to follow. That road map is being distributed at COP21."

"Together, we must all take the measures that will avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and we must adapt to what we cannot prevent. Both are priorities for our region and state. We must do both for the sake of our children and future generations.

And in doing so we can chart a more sustainable future for the region."