Scientists found that climate change has increased the likelihood of conditions that stall "planetary waves," a pattern of winds (including the jet stream) that encircle the northern hemisphere from the tropics to the poles. Normally, the waves move eastwards, but under certain temperature conditions, the wave can halt its movement. This leaves whole regions under the same weather for extended periods, turning hot spells into heat waves and wet weather into floods, including California's record drought, recent heatwaves in the US and Russia, and flooding in Pakistan in 2010. A key factor is the warming Arctic: large-scale wind patterns are largely driven by the temperature difference between the poles and the tropics, but this gap is diminishing as the Arctic is warming up more rapidly than lower latitudes. ( Guardian)

Groundwater recharge, flood protection, and wildlife habitat all depend on floodplains. Now there's a new movement underway to restore floodplains to ease California's dramatic swings between drought and flood. Moving levees farther apart, for example, can expand river channels, increase holding capacity for floodwaters, and create new riparian habitat. Another method is to build diversion points where rising rivers can leave the levee channel and flood farmland that can tolerate occasional inundation. This shallow flooding can recharge severely depleted groundwater aquifers. Other benefits of floodplain restoration include reduced levee maintenance costs, revived riparian forests, and habitat for juvenile fish, such as salmon. ( Link)

In a major new analysis, scientists warn that species movements due to changing temperatures will damage industries, such as forestry and tourism, and that tensions are emerging between nations over shifting natural resources, such as fish stocks. "The shifts will leave 'winners' and 'losers' in their wake, radically reshaping the pattern of human wellbeing ... and potentially leading to substantial conflict," the team warns. "Human society has yet to appreciate the implications of unprecedented species redistribution for life on Earth, including for human lives." The most direct impact on humans is the movement of disease-carrying insects, while invasive species can also lead to drastic ecosystem changes. "Climate-driven species redistributions shouldn't only be a concern for conservation biologists - they should worry everyone," said one scientist. "The world as a whole isn't adequately prepared to handle the range of issues emerging from species moving across local, national, and international boundaries." ( Guardian)

The Urban Greening Program has $76 million to fund projects that reduce GHG emissions by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption, and reducing vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. Deadline: May 1, 5pm. ( Link)