UO E-clips, Dec. 17

Rogue Basin Warming Could Create Problems (Oregon Public Radio): The Rogue River Valley is getting warmer due to climate change. A new study says the valley will have hot, dry summers more similar to those in Sacramento than southern Oregon. Pete Springer reports. The study comes from the University of Oregon’s Climate Leadership Initiative and the National Center for Conservation Science and Policy in Ashland. It warns of temperatures that could increase by 15 degrees in summertime by the end of the century.

UO report looks at climate change in Rogue River basin (Daily Journal of Commerce): Projected climate changes in Oregon’s Rogue River basin could lead to a gradual relocation of structures and people from areas at risk of flash flooding and wildfires, according to a report by the University of Oregon’s Climate Leadership Initiative and the National Center for Conservation Science & Policy. The report, Preparing for Climate Change in the Rogue River Basin of Southwest Oregon, is the first of four reports that scale down global models of climate change and apply them to specific river basins in the U.S.

Global warming outlook dire for Rogue Valley (AP): A new report by Oregon researchers says if global warming isn't curbed, summer temperatures in the Rogue River Valley could rise as much as 15 degrees by 2080, making the weather there similar to Sacramento's. Researchers said the changes would likely boost wildfires and spell trouble for fish, forests, pears, pinot noir and people, who would see snowpacks and water supplies dwindle.

Chemists advance new theory to support next generation cleantech materials (The Energy Roadmap): The future of energy systems will be shaped by our ability to control light, electrons and molecules. If we expect to transform the world's largest industries then we need fundamental breakthroughs in materials science and engineering. This is not the time for incremental improvements, or resting on strategies of 'consuming' green. This is the time to turn to science-chemistry, physics, and biology. ... A team of Oregon University researchers led by Dr Marina Guenza, using data collected by European materials researchers, has developed a theory that could end the confusion over molecule behavior in the creation of polymer materials. (This story was linked to from a Future Blogger Web site cover story highlighting the Top 10 energy/science stories of the year. … See Joel Greenburg's cover story)