Join Birch Aquarium for the first in a three-part virtual lecture series to learn more about how Scripps Institution of Oceanography is working collaboratively with a wide-range of government and academic partners to address some of the most challenging environmental issues facing the western US today. In "Drought in the West—Research and Scientific Tools for Coping with Climate Change," climate scientist Julie Kalansky discusses how drought in California and Nevada is a common occurrence, with the attendant water restrictions and threat of severe wildfires bringing the reality of climate change into sharp focus. Future climate projections for the region suggest a trend toward more extremes, including more severe and prolonged drought as well as exceptionally wet years. California Nevada Climate Applications (CNAP) program manager Julie Kalansky will discuss the science of drought and how this Scripps-based consortium of institutions works to provide drought tracking and early warning in support of drought preparedness and resilience in the face of a changing climate.

The lecture is free and available to the public through Zoom, however advanced reservation is required.