California’s Historic Ranching Culture at Significant Risk from Climate Change

Climate Action Report Delivers a Sobering Look at State’s Economy and Well-being, Critical First Step toward Adapting to Impacts of Warming

San Francisco, California — April 1, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy today released “The Impact of Climate Change on California’s Ecosystem Services” as part of the California Climate Action Team’s Draft Biennial Report, a multi-faceted study that highlights how climate change will impact California’s economy, residents and our natural areas. The Climate Action Report includes the Conservancy’s findings regarding the potential loss of California’s grasslands and forests and the associated impacts on our historic ranching culture and economy, and challenges the State’s ability to meet its long-term greenhouse gas emissions goals.

“The Nature Conservancy applauds the State of California for its leadership in compiling the Climate Action Report and is honored to contribute research to the effort,” said Dr. Rebecca Shaw, California associate state director for The Nature Conservancy and the lead author of the study. “This report is a critical step toward preparing California to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.”

The Conservancy co-authored a chapter in the study focusing on climate change impacts to California’s key economic sectors that rely on nature including ranching, skiing, salmon fishing and emerging carbon markets.

Among the findings, the study concluded that climate change could result in economic losses to the cattle industry of between $14 million and $191 million annually by the year 2035, and between $22 million and $312 million annually by the end of the century. The Conservancy’s research showed that, as some parts of the state become too dry to support grasslands and others become wetter, the overall area suitable to support cattle grazing is likely to decline significantly by the end of the century.

In addition, the decline of California’s forests, which not only store carbon but actively take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, will increase the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, further contributing to global warming and impacting our health and economy. The iconic forests of the Sierra Nevada and the North Coast will decrease in area by as much as 60% by the end of the century.

The report states that additional research is needed to understand the full impact that climate change will have on California’s ecosystems and its industries that depend on them, but indications show that they will be significant. For instance, the report cites that changes to stream flow, such as early spring runoff and lower average flows, could further reduce salmon reproduction and subsequently the number of salmon available for commercial and recreational harvest. The report estimates that recreational salmon anglers spend up to $20 million annually, much of which could be lost due to climate change.

The Conservancy urges the state to immediately devote additional resources to determining specific impacts to our natural areas and identifying ways to adapt the lands and waters that are so critical to California’s health and prosperity.

“We can’t wait to address the threats climate change poses, and we must take steps to ensure that California’s economy and way of life not only survive, but ultimately prosper,” said Shaw. “In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we must also identify and fund solutions that can help our natural areas, communities and industries remain viable in the face of climate change.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.