Browsing by Author "Clark, Suzanna"

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    Climate change and drought in Minnesota and the Midwest
    (2023) Clark, Suzanna; Roop, Heidi A; Meyer, Nathan; Mosel, Jamie
    This document is intended to provide a brief overview of observed and projected changes to precipitation in Minnesota. Minnesota has become wetter on average over the past 120 years, and that trend is expected to continue, but climate change will likely make precipitation in Minnesota more unstable and intense. Between heavy rain events, Minnesota will likely have longer dry periods and more flash droughts. Transitions between very wet and very dry periods are also likely to accelerate. Use this summary to learn more about the details of the projections and the potential impacts these changes could have on Minnesotans.
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    Climate modeling: An introductory primer for practitioners
    (2023) Clark, Suzanna; Roop, Heidi A; Meyer, Nathan; Liess, Stefan; Mosel, Jamie; Hoppe, Brenda; Farris, Amanda
    This document is intended to provide an introductory overview to climate models and their function. It explains the basics of how a climate model works, how data can be transformed from a global to a regional scale, and the constraints placed on modeling as a result of computational power. It also explains the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) and modeling scenarios established by CMIP. It is not an exhaustive overview, nor is it intended to replace a formal modeling course for those wishing to run climate models. The intended audience includes those who would like to understand or are interested in using model output.
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    Climate projection data for Minnesota: Opportunities of climate data to accelerate climate resilience efforts across the State
    (2021) Clark, Suzanna; Roop, Heidi; Meek, Jeffrey; Stephens, Sharon; Blumenfeld, Kenneth; Hoppe, Brenda; Millberg, Laura; Mroz-Risse, Kristin; Tomlinson, Elizabeth; Wojchik, Eric
    In January 2021, a survey was distributed to assess climate projection information needs among potential users in Minnesota. 218 people from the private sector, academia, NGOs, and government answered questions about the usefulness of downscaled climate projection data, possible applications, and their preference for project leadership, funding, and management. The majority of respondents indicated that temperature and precipitation data would be useful at seasonal, monthly, and annual time scales. More than any other entity, the University of Minnesota was the preferred institution to lead the project and house the data. These survey results will inform the Dynamically Downscaled Climate Projections, a two-year project recently funded by the Minnesota State Legislature.
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    Longitudinal Survey Results from a Pilot Community Climate Communicators Program
    (2023-05-05) Clark, Suzanna; Roop, Heidi; Gonzales, Katerina; Mohr, Caryn; Dybsetter, Anne; Kingery, Linda; hroop@umn.edu; Roop, Heidi A; University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership
    More frequent, effective climate conversations initiated by a diversity of trusted voices can help to increase climate concern and desire for action at the community level. However, in the United States, there is a disconnect between the level of concern individuals have about climate change and the extent to which individuals talk about the issue. To help bridge this gap, the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership developed a training program aimed at inspiring and equipping local community members across Greater Minnesota with the skills and confidence to have effective conversations about climate change in their communities. This paper summarizes the programmatic activities we used to support our goals, and some reflections on the program's results. This pilot program provides a framework for future efforts that can be facilitated by Extension programs, community-based organizations, universities, and others to inspire and accelerate similar community-centered climate conversations. The data included herein are from a survey distributed to program participants at the beginning and end of the program. The survey includes questions related to participants' perceptions of climate change, confidence in communicating about climate change, and satisfaction with the program. Data are both qualitative (short answer and multiple choice), and quantitative.