Sharing Technical and Scientific Knowledge About Extreme Precipitation

2019 Symposium

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Date:	Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Place:	ARC Conference Center University of California, Davis

About the Theme
The Impacts of Global Warming on California — A 30-Year Retrospective and Future Projections
The theme is based on the June 1989 report prepared by the California Energy Commission titled: The Impacts of Global Warming on California [PDF*, 2.9Mb]. We will use the report to look back at what was known in 1989 and the projections made then. Topics to cover will include: What were the projections 30 years ago regarding global warming impacts on California? How good were the projections compared to what has happened? Compare the climate modeling science in 1989 with today's modeling. What are today's future projections for global warming impacts on California? Why was the 1989 report prepared? Consider the report's Introduction: In mid-1988, the "greenhouse effect" burst onto the national scene with a flurry of articles in magazines and newspapers and a series of hearings in the U.S. Congress. Yet for decades scientists and policy makers have been researching and discussing what might happen if increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused substantial warming of the world's climate. Early in 1988, before the issue capitivated [sic] the national media, California's Legislature introduced AB 4420 (Sher) calling for the California Energy Commission to study how global warming trends may affect the state's energy supply and demand, economy, environment, agriculture, and water supplies. The bill, which was signed by the Governor in September 1988, specifies that the study include recommendations for avoiding, reducing, and addressing the impacts which are identified.

About the Theme

The Impacts of Global Warming on California — A 30-Year Retrospective and Future Projections

The theme is based on the June 1989 report prepared by the California Energy Commission titled: The Impacts of Global Warming on California [PDF*, 2.9Mb].

We will use the report to look back at what was known in 1989 and the projections made then. Topics to cover will include:

What were the projections 30 years ago regarding global warming impacts on California?
How good were the projections compared to what has happened?
Compare the climate modeling science in 1989 with today's modeling.
What are today's future projections for global warming impacts on California?

Why was the 1989 report prepared? Consider the report's Introduction:

In mid-1988, the "greenhouse effect" burst onto the national scene with a flurry of articles in magazines and newspapers and a series of hearings in the U.S. Congress. Yet for decades scientists and policy makers have been researching and discussing what might happen if increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused substantial warming of the world's climate.

Early in 1988, before the issue capitivated [sic] the national media, California's Legislature introduced AB 4420 (Sher) calling for the California Energy Commission to study how global warming trends may affect the state's energy supply and demand, economy, environment, agriculture, and water supplies. The bill, which was signed by the Governor in September 1988, specifies that the study include recommendations for avoiding, reducing, and addressing the impacts which are identified.

What is CEPSYM?

The California Extreme Precipitation Symposium is an informal day of scientific and technical presentations meant to increase our knowledge and understanding of extreme precipitation events. Goals of CEPSYM are to improve flood risk management planning and increase warning time for large floods.

Each year, CEPSYM presentations focus on a specific theme. Almost every paper or presentation given since starting in 1994 is available under Speaker Presentations.

Speaker Presentations

Speaker presentations from each Symposium are available on this website. Presentations may be posted in one or more formats: abstracts, printable slides from the presenters, and/or audio of the sessions.

Speaker Presentations page — list of prior year themes and links to the proceedings for those years
Speaker Index — list of speakers and their presentations

More Information

Interested? Are you interested in talking on a technical or scientific topic related to the Symposium's purpose? Would you like to attend the next symposium? Contact the Coordinator, Gary Estes, to be notified via email of the next Symposium.

2018 Sponsors

Rain Sponsors — $500+

Shower Sponsors — $250+