By Kathy Gottberg  (3/17/10)

            The 2^nd Annual Climate Change & California Desert Conference was held Friday, March 12^th in the town of Yucca Valley.  Hosted by the Defenders of Wildlife and the National Parks Conservation Assoc., this free, one day conference brought together approximately 200 people to meet, discuss climate change, and talk about how warming temperatures will affect desert dwellers, including those with four legs and wings.  While informative, the conference seemed to suffer the same fate as similar conferences—that of attracting mostly those already in touch with climate change and its repercussions.  Still, the attendance also demonstrated an ethnical diversity and a scattering of ages—from school kids to grandparents—making it clear that a changing climate affects us all.

         The small conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers including Dr. Cameron Barrows from the Center for Conservation Biology at UCR, Dr. Debra Hughson from the National Park Service, Dr. Lori Hargrove, Researcher at the San Diego Museum of Natural History and Jim Ferguson, Mayor Pro Tem of Palm Desert. Each spoke on their respective areas of expertise and influence providing a nice variety of climate change’s impact on humans, reptiles, fowls and desert animals. 

            Of particular interest, at least during the morning session, was the explanation by Dr. Barrows when he addressed the question currently being tossed about by many in the main stream news—that question is, “How can the planet be getting hotter?  Look at all the rain, snow and cold.”  To which Dr. Barrows replied, “Those things are weather, not climate.  Weather is the variation within climate.”  He went on to say in relation to climate change, “We should expect really cold temperatures along with really hot temperatures.”    Even more interesting is the fact that “…for the most part, if you look at the weather, it’s getting warmer at night.  It’s getting a bit warmer during the day, it’s just not getting as cold at night.”

            While the research that the fringe toed lizard has lost over 90% of its habitat over the last 30 to 40 years was shocking, many in the audience seemed more impassioned about the growing number of climate deniers.  A recent article in Yes Magazine said that 64% of those polled don’t think there is a connection between global climate change and human activity.   It also said that the majority of the denial comes from males 65 years and older.  Overall, younger people and women have an easier time believing the science (that humans are the cause of climate change) than those older, or men in general.   Why?  According to the source quoted, those (particularly older men) who have lived much of their life a certain way, find it emotionally much easier to believe that they are not the cause of the harmful and destructive activity that is destroying the planet.  Rather than feel helpless, they instead deny it all by saying humans are not responsible for what is happening  They can then go to bed at night and feel better.    Still, as Dr. Barrows concluded in his talk, “Why is climate change denial so seductive?  It’s because it is really scary and it feels much better not to think about it.  But the evidence is overwhelming that something is really happening.”

                        Of a more practical nature, Jim Ferguson, Mayor Pro-tem of Palm Desert shared his personal story as a driving force behind AB 811—the California State law that allows homeowners in Palm Desert to purchase solar and pay for it through city sponsored loans on their tax bill.   Similar programs like the one in Palm Desert are being proposed in several other cities throughout California as well as a number of counties, including Riverside.  The popularity of this program will only increase if, as Jim Ferguson explained, “Edison said that they will have a 30% rate increase during the next two years.”    The positive news about programs that help homeowners buy solar systems is that their costs will remain flat, regardless of how high energy rates go.

            Both speakers during the afternoon session highlighted the far-reaching implications of global warming and drought conditions.   According to Dr. Debra Hughson, the variation in weather “is likely to increase in the future.  Droughts, fires and floods that previously have been infrequent disasters are likely to be a more common part of life here.”   Dr. Lori Hargrove explained that even when birds survive during a drought, their reproduction is dramatically affected and also forces a shift in habitat.  In the end, every thing, animal and human will be affected by climate change.