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17.6: Chapter Summary

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    17.1: Note on Usage

    • An exploration of proper language for discussions about climate.
    • This includes the meaning of climate-specific terms such as forcing and response.
    • Particular attention is given to how terms of such as "global warming" has been misused by anti-science climate denialists.

    17.2: The Past

    • Geology brings to the story of climate change not only what is happening today, but also especially the evidence revealed from the distant past.
    • One major subject for past climate is the numerous "megadroughts" California has suffered.
    • One of the most profitable avenues of research is dendrochronology, the examination of trees rings for climate data.

    17.3: The Present

    • Does California have a Mediterranean climate? In some ways, yes, but this section examines how this is too simplistic.
    • This chapter looks at contemporary trends, such as high pressure ridges, drought, snow pack measurements, and atmospheric rivers.
    • The present conditions highlight the fragility and vulnerability of California's climate system, especially in terms of water humans need.

    17.4: The Future

    • King Tides show us what the future of rising sea levels will look like.
    • This section details projections for sea level rise.
    • The future involves truly frightening projections of how California might change for the worse.

    17.5: Hotter, Drier, Tougher

    • Much of the coming changes is already "baked into the cake" is is going to happen without regard to future actions.
    • There is not much hope for California's climate remaining as it has been--things are going to change for the worse.
    • We need to come to terms with this existential crisis while realizing that our political systems are failing to address the magnitude of the issue.

    17.6: Chapter Summary is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Steven Newton.