The scientific consensus regarding climate change is clear. Our climate is changing, and we are causing it. At TEGG's spring meeting, Friday March 31 in Galveston at The Moody Gardens Hotel, Jim Blackburn will summarize data and projections of how climate change will affect Texas and what we can do about it. He will use selected graphics and data from his forthcoming book from Texas A&M Press, A Texan Plan For the Texas Coast which will focus on changing temperatures, severe storms and droughts, sea level rise and hurricanes.

The response actions are of two types -- (1) new design criteria for the changing climate (changes in 100 year rainfall and 100 year flood plain, design hurricane, design sea level, outdoor recreation) and (2) reducing the carbon dioxide and other pollutants causing climate change. As a reduction strategy, carbon sequestration could change the land conservation model for the United States and transform oil and gas production as we currently know it.

Following the meeting there will be a guided tour of the not-yet-open-to-the-public, newly-remodeled Aquarium. Please indicate if you will be staying for the tour when you register.

Presenter

Jim Blackburn has been a practicing environmental lawyer and planner since 1973.  He is a Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice University where he teaches environmental law and sustainable design courses.  He is co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center at Rice University where he is also a Rice Faculty Scholar at the Baker Institute and Director of the Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Water Sustainability.  He is owner of a planning firm called Sustainable Planning and Design.