Global Trends, Missouri Impacts: Adapting to Climate Change

Global climate change and global warming are some of the most politically charged, scientific terms of our time. In some parts of the world, one would not question the scientific validity or probability of extreme consequences predicted by climate change models. Elsewhere, one could not refer to these concepts without being accused of wanting to impede economic development.

The 2009 Missouri Natural Resources Conference does not intend to debate the cause of global climate change, or even its existence. The 2009 MNRC steering committee only hopes to open a scientific discussion about the possible consequences of climate change on the natural resources in Missouri. It is easy to find speakers about climate change; it has proven more difficult to find speakers who can bring the subject home, to Missouri natural resources. Our three plenary session speakers are going to do just that – help us understand how the issue of global climate change will impact Missouri. In the closing session, new to this year’s conference, we hope to develop ideas on how we can work together to address these issues proactively and go forward from the conference with renewed interest and enthusiasm.

Dr. Dave Gustafson will tell the story of Climate Change in the context of a major corporation, Monsanto. Dr. Gustafson is one of the Monsanto Fellows that participated in a two year study on the issue of climate change and its potential impact on Monsanto's bottom line. The panel concluded that the issue is real, and made recommendations to management that Monsanto adapt its business to address climate change. We will hear how a locally based, international organization mobilized its best brains, including Dr. Dave Gustafson, to analyze the issue and implement changes to adapt its business.

Dr. Pete Nowak will tell the story of climate change in Wisconsin. Dr. Nowak has worked with different organizations and stakeholders, public and private, education and business, those who enjoy nature and those who make their money off nature, to come together to face the issue head on. What is the problem and how will Wisconsin live with it? Who do get involved? Who needs to be educated? What change do we need to make happen? Professor Nowak will guide us through the process used in Wisconsin so that we may begin to form ideas of how climate change could be handled by natural resource professionals in Missouri.

Dr. Linda Joyce contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). She is a quantitative ecologist with the US Forest Service. Her combination of climate and natural resource credentials inspired us to invite her to join our plenary speakers and share her most recent work. She developed the CSI, no, not the TV program, but the "Climate Stress Index". That index allows decision-makers to prioritize where action is more urgent because there is a higher level of 'stress' on natural resources. She has calculated the CSI for many areas in the US, including Missouri. Dr. Joyce will provide insight on how to identify areas of Missouri that might be more resilient or vulnerable to climate change.

We hope the 2009 Missouri Natural Resources Conference will serve as the jumping-off point for insightful discussions by “the best brains” in Missouri natural resources. This is our chance to develop Missouri’s unique response to the local effects of climate change.

Conference Sponsors

	Missouri Society of American Foresters
	Missouri Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society
	Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society
	Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

Page last updated January 11, 2009