Sharing Technical and Scientific Knowledge About Extreme Precipitation

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.