Thursday January 14, 2021

Climate scientists at Utah State University are using ocean memory to forecast drought and water flow in the Colorado River. Researchers say this tool could help predict the river’s water supply years in advance, and assist water managers to make better decisions. Plus, calls for newly elected Congressmember Lauren Boebert to resign are increasing across Colorado’s third district, which includes Grand Junction. And later, Tri-State electrical utility provides power to many rural areas in the West, relying on coal and fossil fuels to generate the bulk of its power. Now, the company is beginning a rapid shift toward renewable energy. But as our partners at KSJD report, undoing years of fossil fuel influence may be challenging.

Show Notes:

Nature: Colorado River water supply is predictable on multi-year timescales owing to long-term ocean memory
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-020-00027-0#ref-CR17

U.S. Drought Monitor
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu

KVNF: Calls Increase for Lauren Boebert to Resign, Be Investigated
https://www.kvnf.org/post/calls-increase-lauren-boebert-resign-be-investigated#stream/0

KSJD: As Tri-State Embraces Renewables, It’s Fossil Fuel Sources Haven’t Burned Out Yet
https://www.ksjd.org/post/tri-state-embraces-renewables-its-fossil-fuel-sources-haven-t-burned-out-yet