Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minghao Qiu, Nathan Ratledge, Ines M. L. Azevedo, Noah S. Diffenbaugh, Marshall Burke
Summary: The western United States has been experiencing severe drought, which is predicted to worsen in the future. This drought has significant impacts on the region's hydropower-dependent electricity systems, resulting in increased fossil fuel generation and greenhouse gas emissions. These drought-induced emissions have detectable impacts on local air quality, leading to health hazards. The costs of excess mortality and GHG emissions from drought-induced fossil generation are estimated to be 1.2 to 2.5 times higher than the reported economic costs from lost hydro production and increased demand. It suggests that more ambitious measures are needed to mitigate the emissions and health burden from the electricity sector during drought.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. Park Williams, Ben Livneh, Karen A. McKinnon, Winslow D. Hansen, Justin S. Mankin, Benjamin Cook, Jason E. Smerdon, Arianna M. Varuolo-Clarke, Nels R. Bjarke, Caroline S. Juang, Dennis P. Lettenmaier
Summary: Streamflow often increases after fire, and this effect has unclear persistence and importance to regional water resources. This study examines 72 forested basins in the western United States (WUS) and finds that multibasin mean streamflow significantly increases in the 6 water years after a fire. The streamflow response is proportional to the fire extent and is significant in all four seasons. Furthermore, historical fire-climate relationships and climate model projections suggest that wildfires will become more frequent in the coming decades, leading to increased regional streamflow.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sophie S. Parker, Michael J. Clifford, Brian S. Cohen
Summary: In order to tackle climate change, the United States is providing incentives to encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles with domestically produced lithium batteries. However, the establishment of new lithium extraction facilities may have various environmental impacts, including effects on biodiversity. To evaluate these potential impacts, we conducted a mapping of 72 proposed lithium extraction sites across the United States and analyzed species occurrences, conservation value, habitat, and land management designations. Our findings indicate that the impacts vary by site. Given the abundance of lithium resources in the United States and the differences in potential impacts among sites, decision-makers could prioritize lithium extraction in the least impactful sites. To facilitate this process, we suggest conducting field-based reconnaissance of proposed extraction sites and cumulative analysis of potential impacts on biodiversity, considering the larger context of land use and climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
John T. Abatzoglou, Caroline S. Juang, A. Park Williams, Crystal A. Kolden, Anthony LeRoy Westerling
Summary: The research shows a strong correlation between fire danger days in western US forests and strain on national fire suppression resources, with a projected doubling of synchronous fire danger days in the coming decades.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Erica R. Siirila-Woodburn, Alan M. Rhoades, Benjamin J. Hatchett, Laurie S. Huning, Julia Szinai, Christina Tague, Peter S. Nico, Daniel R. Feldman, Andrew D. Jones, William D. Collins, Laurna Kaatz
Summary: Anthropogenic climate change is decreasing seasonal snowpacks globally, with significant impacts on water resources, especially in the western United States. Projections show a decline of about 25% in snow water equivalent by 2050, with potential persistent low-to-no snow conditions in 35-60 years if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. These changes will alter groundwater and streamflow dynamics in the region.
NATURE REVIEWS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ju-Mee Ryoo, Taejin Park
Summary: An atmospheric river (AR) is a vital component for regional hydroclimate systems, and its association with wildfire patterns in the western U.S. has been investigated. Record-high wildfire activity in 2020 was linked to hotter, drier, and windier conditions, with a shift in peak from July to August. ARs were found to be more frequent but weaker in the summer and less frequent in the fall of 2020 compared to 2016. Contrasting precipitation-wind patterns under ARs in 2020 and 2016 were observed, with dry-windy conditions in 2020 and wet-windy conditions in 2016.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joy Hill, Jordan Kern, David E. Rupp, Nathalie Voisin, Gregory Characklis
Summary: The study reveals that the power system on the U.S. West Coast is vulnerable to climate change, resulting in increased electricity demand and altered timing of hydropower production, impacting prices and reliability. Risks for the Pacific Northwest primarily lie in changes in streamflow, while California is mainly influenced by summer air temperature changes, particularly extreme heat events. The potential impact of altered hydropower production in the PNW on summer power deliveries to California is modest, with future extreme heat in California expected to have a stronger influence on prices and reliability in the PNW.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Kelly Mahoney, James D. Scott, Michael Alexander, Rachel McCrary, Mimi Hughes, Dustin Swales, Melissa Bukovsky
Summary: Future precipitation changes in the western United States, with a focus on California, are projected to experience significant shifts in mean monthly precipitation, extreme daily precipitation, seasonal snowpack, and the duration of wet seasons. While there may be disagreement among models on certain aspects, there is generally consensus on increasing extreme precipitation, decreasing snowpack, and a shorter wet season in the region.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Alan M. Rhoades, Mark D. Risser, Daithi A. Stone, Michael F. Wehner, Andrew D. Jones
Summary: The study shows that as global warming intensifies, the number of landfalling atmospheric rivers (ARs) and the amount of water they transport will increase. The proportion of beneficial ARs will decrease, while the proportion of hazardous ARs will increase. This shift will result in a gradual increase in flood damages, highlighting the importance of climate mitigation efforts.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE EXTREMES
(2021)
Article
Economics
Hao Chen, Simin Liu, Qiufeng Liu, Xueli Shi, Wendong Wei, Rong Han, Sinan Kufeoglu
Summary: This study combines downscaled climate system model and integrated model to evaluate the impacts of climate change on China's electricity supply infrastructure, finding out the existing outage risks and the variations among different provinces and infrastructure components.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
A. Malli, H. Monteith, E. C. Hiscock, E. V. Smith, K. Fairman, T. Galloway, A. Mashford-Pringle
Summary: This study provides an overview of the disconnection between Indigenous populations in Canada and the US and their food systems. It highlights the importance of Indigenous food sovereignty and the need for reconnecting Indigenous knowledge and values systems with future food systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, John T. Abatzoglou, Jan Adamowski, Arash Modaresi Rad, Amir AghaKouchak, Francesco S. R. Pausata, Mojtaba Sadegh
Summary: The authors find that there has been widespread increases in fire danger across the mountainous western US from 1979 to 2020, with the most acute trends occurring at high-elevation regions above 3000 m. Previous studies have identified elevation-dependent warming trends, but research on their impact on fire danger remains limited.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kevin Blagrave, Sapna Sharma
Summary: By analyzing the 34-year records of 74 lakes in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, we found that lake ice phenology is influenced by air temperatures and lake morphology. Air temperatures can explain 64% of the variation in ice-on dates, while lake morphology explains the remaining 36%. It is projected that by the end of the century, these lakes may lose 43 days of ice cover due to climate change.
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. E. Hale, K. N. Musselman, A. J. Newman, B. Livneh, N. P. Molotch
Summary: In the mountainous western United States, a warming climate is causing a decrease in the fraction of precipitation falling as snow and a shift in the timing of snowmelt, leading to uncertain impacts on the distribution of water between evapotranspiration and streamflow. By using a Snow Storage Index (SSI) and a Budyko-based framework, this study found that greater snow water storage was associated with greater hydrologic partitioning to streamflow in several mountainous areas. The retention and release of stored snow water during the summer months plays a significant role in water distribution. If SSI decreases with future warming, it will have substantial implications for ecosystems and water supplies in the western U.S.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Y. T. Eunice Lo, Emily Vosper, Julian P. T. Higgins, Guy Howard
Summary: High temperatures and heatwaves are becoming more frequent in the Western Pacific Region due to climate change. There is currently a lack of comprehensive evidence on the health impacts of heat in this region, highlighting the need for further research.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew Bartos, Mikhail Chester, Nathan Johnson, Brandon Gorman, Daniel Eisenberg, Igor Linkov, Matthew Bates
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2016)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Abhiram Mullapudi, Matthew Bartos, Brandon Wong, Branko Kerkez
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Matthew Bartos, Brandon Wong, Branko Kerkez
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matthew D. Bartos, Mikhail V. Chester
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Water Resources
Matthew Bartos, Branko Kerkez
ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES
(2019)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Hamideh Habibi, Ishita Dasgupta, Seongjin Noh, Sunghee Kim, Michael Zink, Dong-Jun Seo, Matthew Bartos, Branko Kerkez
JOURNAL OF HYDROINFORMATICS
(2019)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Matthew Bartos, Branko Kerkez
Summary: This study introduces a novel digital twin model for water resources management, which integrates sensor data and online models to real-time model water systems and control system dynamics effectively; Using real-world watershed data, it is found that the model can accurately interpolate hydraulic states and predict future states; By providing a complete real-time hydraulic view, it helps to rapidly detect floods, improve maintenance, and control water systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jeil Oh, Matthew Bartos
Summary: Smart stormwater systems with real-time controls are improving urban drainage management by enhancing flood control and water treatment potential. This study introduces a new model predictive control algorithm for stormwater detention ponds that maximizes pollutant removal and minimizes flooding. Compared to rule-based control strategies, the model predictive control is more effective at balancing multiple objectives and remaining robust to uncertainty.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Colby Buehler, Fulizi Xiong, Misti Levy Zamora, Kate M. Skog, Joseph Kohrman-Glaser, Stefan Colton, Michael McNamara, Kevin Ryan, Carrie Redlich, Matthew Bartos, Brandon Wong, Branko Kerkez, Kirsten Koehler, Drew R. Gentner
Summary: Custom, low-cost air quality monitors were developed to measure concentrations of contaminants relevant to human health and climate, addressing issues such as pollutant heterogeneity and environmental sensitivities. The monitors performed well in various environments, showing potential for both large-scale network deployments and targeted experiments at different temporal resolutions.
ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
(2021)
