Nebraska State Climate Office and Nebraska Extension are bringing the Fourth National Climate Assessment to Nebraskans with a summit planned for March 21 at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive, Lincoln.
“Climate change is affecting us now, and ultimately, it is a local issue,” said Martha Shulski, director of the state climate office based at the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Our role as climate professionals is to translate the regional- and national-scale reports to a relevant scale for determining meaningful actions.”
Shulski, Tyler Williams, Extension climatologist, and partners across the university and state will lead the one-day information session on climate and climate change. Those interested in attending can register here. Topics for the summit will include:
- Highlights of climate projections and impacts from the NCA4 (includes a panel discussion);
- The future of climate and expected affects for Nebraskans;
- Weather and climate monitoring;
- Climate scenario planning by Nebraska Extension;
- Climate and agriculture;
- Climate and health; and
- Climate and municipalities.
A session at the end will be geared toward high school students and the future.
Across the state, Nebraskans already have noted an increase in high-rain events, as well as warmer temperatures. Agriculture producers have seen longer growing seasons and warmer summers, requiring increased water resources; and wetter springs, preventing efficient planting schedules. Both urban and rural dwellers have seen more extreme rain events, resulting in increased runoff and soil erosion.
These changes are expected to multiply — potentially affecting the health of people, crops, livestock, ecosystems and energy — as temperatures continue to increase into the future.
But they don’t have to.
“The NCA4 is a jumping off point,” Shulski said. Now, it’s up to climatologists with the NSCO, High Plains Regional Climate Center, National Drought Mitigation Center and Nebraska Extension “to start a dialogue — or continue one — with stakeholders as we dive deeper to address these issues.”
“This summit is the next step forward,” she said, so “Nebraskans can tackle climate changes issues facing the state together.”
The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a break from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Registration is free; sign-up is here.
Updated March 7
Due to the overwhelming interest and response to this event, all registrations accepted on or after March 7 will not include a lunch. We encourage you to bring your own, or head to the Haymarket District in downtown Lincoln for a quick bite to eat. A few of our favorite quick-eats that are near to downtown parking garages include: Raising Cane's (at 14th and P streets), Honest Abe's (at 126 N 14th St), Panera (at 12th and P), or Jimmy Johns (at 14th and O). Please note, Nebraska Innovation Campus is also home to The Mill, which has a limited supply of sandwiches, pastries, wraps and more for those not wishing to leave campus.
Thank you for your understanding! We look forward to your participation in this valuable, collaborative event!