For additional information, see the Western Mega-Region

• Regional Home Page.
• Workshop:
  • Report: Climate Variability and Change in the Southwest: Impacts, Information Needs, and Issues for Policymaking.   Final report of the Southwest Regional Climate Change Symposium and Workshop, 3-5 September 1997. 
  • Web Workshop: Impact of Climate Change and Land Use in the Southwestern United States.  "This interactive workshop [held from 7 through 25 July 1997] was designed to provide background information and stimulate discussion on the effects of climate variability, possible natural and human-related long-term climate change, and land-use change in the rapidly-growing southwestern United States."
• Assessment Report
  • Preparing for a Changing Climate.  The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change.  Southwest. Report (dtd September 2000).
  • Southwest May See Warmer, Wetter Climate in the Future. Press release (dtd 10 April 2001) from Institute for the Study of Planet Earth at the University of Arizona.  Announces publication of Preparing for a Changing Climate: Southwest Regional Assessment.

Related Articles from the National Assessment's Newsletter, Acclimations.

• Southwest Climate Symposium Spins Off New Projects - Barbara Morehouse and William Sprigg. (July/August 1998)

Also of Interest:

• Climate Assessment for the Southwest.  Special issue of Climate Research.(Vol 21, no.3; 16 July 2002).  "Focusing on climate phenomena and the vulnerability of the southwest United States, CLIMAS (Climate Assessment Project for the Southwest) involves a continuing program drawing primarily from participatory research efforts. It summarizes and evaluates current knowledge and aims at contributing to a better understanding of regional dynamics and at supporting the work of decision makers."  Includes free access to abstracts.

The Workshop

The Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, in conjunction with the Latin American Area Center, the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, and other units at the University of Arizona organized and hosted the Southwest-Colorado River Regional Workshop. The symposium included both public sessions and working sessions that attracted participants from academia, non-governmental organizations, American Indian tribal governments, farmers and ranchers, elected officials, business and industry, and other research programs. This event brought together important stakeholders to determine the state-of-knowledge, information and research needs, and possible policy strategies for the southwestern U.S. and the nation.

Issues for Analysis

The follow-up assessment considered a limited number of key sectors and issues that are critical in the Southwest region. The issues addressed include: Water, Health, Urbanization, Ranching, Mining, and Natural Ecosystems. It was particularly important to show the very central role of water on health and urban issues and upon most, if not all, social, economic, and environmental sectors. The Assessment focus addressed environmental and socio-economic impacts due to climate variability and change, and recognized that some of the current stresses in the region are complicating factors.

Strategy for the Assessment

Each member of the Regional Assessment Team was responsible for either (a) preparing a base set of data/information; (b) conducting a survey and analysis of potential consequences; or (c) conducting a crosscut analysis of sector assessments.  Examining the consequences of past climate variations, including extreme events, was at least as important as examining those under projected climate scenarios. Each regional assessment team member was responsible for coordination with other assessment teams/members. The Assessment document is available on the web, see the above link.

• Roger Bales, University of Arizona
• Janie Chermak, University of New Mexico
• Todd Hinkley, USGS
• Laura Huenneke, New Mexico State University
• Linda Mearns, National Center for Atmospheric Research
• David Minke, ASARCO, Inc.
• Wilson Orr, Prescott College
• Kelly Redmond, Desert Research Institute
• William Sprigg, University of Arizona
• James R. Young, Southern California Edison

Steering Committee

• Jonathan Bernal, International Boundary and Water Commission
• David Brookshire, University of New Mexico
• Stephen P. Brown, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• Prabhu Dayal, Tucson Electric Power Company
• James Enote, Pueblo of Zuni
• David C. Goodrich, USDA
• Howard Hanson, Los Alamos National Lab
• William Karsell, WAPA
• Jan Matusak, Metro Water District of Southern California
• Robert Merideth, Udall Center, University of Arizona
• Kathleen Miller, NCAR
• Stanley A. Morain, University of New Mexico

Key Collaborators

• Norman L. Miller, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• Rachel Loehman, Indian Health Services, Sandia National Laboratories