Laserfiche WebLink
1. Precipitation <br />When considering climate adaptation, it is 'imperative to review historical insights that <br />may be useful, including many types of social, economic, cultural, and political changes that <br />have been experienced in the past. This requires offering conclusions that balance being useful <br />and oriented towards action, with caution regarding the nature and extent of our knowledge. <br />First, in regards to past precipitation, research showed that it is imperative to have an <br />understanding of how important the role that precipitation plays on our world is, as well as the <br />repeated consequential effects that have resulted from climate change shifting trends in <br />precipitation. In particular, the aftermath of floods, droughts, storms, and changes in average <br />amounts and variability of rainfall have caused endless damaging economic impacts, physical <br />property damages, increases in emigration, and death. Additionally, our environment has been <br />negatively affected by such change as well. This frequently includes damages to crops- causing <br />famine and food price inflation, soil erosion, flood risk, lower biodiversity of areas, and <br />diminished quality of water due to pollutants deposited on land being washed into water bodies <br />through runoff water. <br />Since the early 20th century, average U.S. precipitation has increased roughly 5%. <br />Climate models project average winter and spring precipitation by late this century (2071-2099) <br />to increase 10% to 20% (relative to 1971-2000). The majority of this precipitation will occur in <br />the form of rain and snow. Looking specifically at Elk River, there is an estimated increase of <br />four inches. The National Climate Assessment has compiled evidence to project an increase in <br />4 <br />