Water, Climate and Uncertanity: An Introduction to the Issues, Language, Literature and the Conference Materials June 11-13 2003

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Contents: Introductionto the " Guidebook" ....................................................................... ............................... 3 Part I: What Are Climate Researchers Saving About Western Water? A Guide forNon - Scientists .............................................................................................. ..............................4 Climate Science and Research: The Basics ..................................................... ..............................4 Averagesand Extremes ................................................................................. ..............................4 ClimateChange Projections .......................................................................... ..............................4 Climate Variability & Recurring Phenomena ............................................... ..............................6 Science, Uncertainty and Best Guesses ............................................................ ..............................7 Part II: What Should Climate Researchers Know About the Realm of Western Water Law. Policy and Management? .............................................................. ............................... 9 ClimateIssues in Context ................................................................................ ............................... 9 TheInstitutional Setting .................................................................................. .............................10 ConnectingScience to Policy .......................................................................... .............................11 Pullingthe Levers ........................................................................................ .............................11 Decision Makers and Their Decision Space ................................................ .............................12 Part III: Where to Find Additional Information ............................................... .............................13 Literatureand Links ........................................................................................ .............................13 Reports on the Conference CD: "The Electronic Library " ......................... .............................13 InternetResources ....................................................................................... .............................16 Glossary and List of Acronyms ....................................................................... .............................17 © Natural Resources Law Center, University of Colorado School of Law, 2003. This report can be shared and reprinted without permission for educational purposes as long as proper attribution is provided. This guidebook is a gross distillation of countless sources, and undoubtedly reflects the biases and experiences of the author. In the text, no attempt is made to attribute ideas to specific sources, as the intent is to focus on broad themes emerging from the literature rather than specific projects or individual work. Many of the most salient and accessible of these sources are listed in Part III and, in many cases, are included in pdf form on the Conference CD as part of an electronic library. This document is a joint production of the Natural Resources Law Center and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The opinions stated within, however, are those of the author, and have not been formally reviewed or endorsed by the two supporting organizations. This work falls under the umbrella of the Western Water Assessment, administered at the University of Colorado by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. Steve Bailey of NCAR provided invaluable assistance in the collection and review of the materials described, and in the preparation of the electronic library. 2