Ever since Al Gore’s award-winning film, “An Inconvenient Truth”, we’ve all thought a bit more about global warming and what it might mean to us here in the Eastern Sierra. Next fall, we may find out lots more about climate and the Sierra. A climate symposium will bring scientists and the curious to the Eastern Sierra.

The University of CA White Mountain Research Station, Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab, USFS, and National Park Service along with the Consortium for Integrated Climate Research in Western Mountains presents Climate, Ecosystems and Resources of Eastern California. This conference will unfold in Bishop at the Fairgrounds over four days starting November 5th.

It’s all about climate change here and how these changes may impact our land and all life forms. Dr. Dan Cayan of Scripps Institute has studied, with others, the climate of Inyo-Mono, its changes and what is likely to happen in the future. His preliminary findings showed a gradual temperature increase which would cause a more rapid run-off and more rain than snow.

On that note, MMSA will also take part in the conference since ski areas have a direct stake in climate change. Dan Dawson of Valentine Reserve and SNARL said there is a lot of work going on now to set up speakers for this scientific gathering. While much of what goes on will raise to scientific levels, a free public lecture on the topics will come down to earth for most of us.

While the conference takes place November 5-8, registration ends Sept. 19 with early registration by August 19th. Contact White Mountain Research for information.

According to scientists organizing this event, increases in greenhouse emissions and other factors are bringing about climate change on a scale unknown in recorded human history. They further say that wild land ecosystems are being directly and indirectly affected and changes seem to be accelerating. The conference will offer an arena for discussion of changes and how they will affect our lives.

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