How is Global Warming likely to impact California?
Global Warming is likely to make summers hotter and drier, and winters hotter and wetter. Climate models project varied changes across the State. These changes include increased winter precipitation over the coast and the Sierras, a drier southeast corner, and a strong warming in the northern Sierras and the Central Valley. Although temperatures on a whole are expected to rise, California is likely to see a more dramatic increase in temperature during the winter. As a result, less precipitation will fall as snow, and more as rain. As snow packs decrease, less water will be available during the summer and much water during the winter will be lost as runoff. Sea level is expected to rise anywhere from eight to twelve inches, leading to coastal erosion, flooding, and permanent inundation. In hot, dry summers, demand for water for agriculture, industry, and urban areas is high. A decreased stream flow would intensify competition for fresh water. Aquatic ecosystems, like that of the San Fra
