An Invisible Natural Disaster
Earth is hotter than it has been in 125,000 years, and DRI scientists are striving to uncover the impacts of a warmer atmosphere.
Weather Whiplash is Amplifying Wildfire Risk
While fires engulfed large swaths of southern California in early January, destroying more than 16,000 structures, taking at least 29 lives, and choking the air with smoke, a new study about weather whiplash was released. Co-authored by DRI’s Christine Albano, the research examined how a warming climate is creating an atmosphere more prone to extreme weather. Now, Albano and her co-authors have released a new report that applies the knowledge gained from January’s study to the recent fires, analyzing the broader climatic context that contributed to the unprecedented infernos.
Floods, Droughts, Then Fires: Hydroclimate Whiplash is Speeding up Globally
DRI’s Christine Albano co-authored a new study that examines how a warming climate is creating an atmosphere more prone to extreme weather. This “hydroclimate whiplash” is evident in California’s recent weather, with winters filled with repeated atmospheric river storms driving the plant growth that the dry summers then parched, providing plentiful fuel for explosive wildfires.
Native Climate Reporter Team Presents, Listens, and Learns at Indigenous Climate Conference in Alaska
Along Alaska’s western coastline, 400 miles from the nearest road system, villagers from the Indigenous community of Newtok were scheduled for permanent evacuation in mid-October due to the irreversible threat of rising seas. The story, recounted by Newtok resident Della Carl in September at the National Indigenous Climate Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, embedded itself deep in the hearts and minds of each member of the audience, making it clear not just that sea level rise is happening, but why it matters. Such is the power of a well-told story.
DRI Scientists Create Guidance to Help Emergency Managers Prepare for Weather Hazards of the Future
DRI scientists partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey to produce a guidance document for incorporating publicly available data on historical and projected extreme weather events to aid with emergency planning exercises. The report, funded by the California Department of Water Resources, is available on DRI’s website.
Growing numbers of Native American households in Nevada face plumbing poverty, water quality problems
A growing number of Native American households in Nevada have no access to indoor plumbing, a condition known as “plumbing poverty,” according to a new study.
New USDA Grant to Support Climate Resilience Planning in Indian Country
A new USDA grant will fund the “Native Climate” project, which will build relationships and narrow the climate justice gap in Native American communities of the Intermountain West.
From COVID-19 to Drought: Collaborating on Emerging Challenges Across Indian Country
The Native Waters on Arid Lands project's COVID-19 Working Group is a network of partners working together to solve problems and share information across Indian Country.
New USDA Grant Will Fund COVID-19 Rapid Response Toolkit for Tribal Extension Agents
Reno, Nev. (July 23, 2020) – Several members of the Native Waters on Arid Lands (NWAL) project team, led by Maureen McCarthy, Ph.D., of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, have been awarded a $300k grant from the US Department of Agriculture National...
New USDA grant to support Diné (Navajo) and Hopi Teachers in Placed-Based STEM curriculum
Meghan Collins received a $100k grant from to develop a STEM curriculum with the Diné (Navajo) and Hopi communities.