The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University has received $2.5 million in federal appropriations to support the Climate Change Impact on Water Initiative.
According to the press release, the center, which was named following a gift from The Meadows Foundation in 2012, inspires innovation, research, and leadership that ensures clean, abundant water for the environment and all humanity.
The Climate Change Impact on Water Initiative is working to study the impact of climate change on all Texas water resources and to create a publicly available tool to help inform action to preserve water and protect the future of water in the state. The new funding for the center was announced on Feb. 9 by U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett.
“Climate change is already messing with Texas water,” Congressman Doggett said. “New federal funds I secured are advancing the next phase of developing actionable projections for how climate change impacts our water, breaking ground on new scientific research to develop a response. Providing scientific results—accessible to all—Dr. Mace and his team will equip local leaders to build climate change into water resource planning and determine the most effective ways to protect our water. Our Highland Lakes are one of the first places they focus on.”
Robert Mace, executive director of The Meadows Center, said the initiative aims to help communities across the state plan for and respond to a future with less water.
“With increasing temperatures, we expect water supplies from our rivers, lakes, and aquifers to decrease as our population continues to boom,” he explained.
The Climate Change Impact on Water Initiative analyzes climate factors, including increases in extreme weather events and drought projections, to assess how the state’s climate projections can best serve water stakeholder needs. The research will provide climate impact information to prompt policy and decision-makers.
In addition, the project will develop climate change models aimed at understanding the impact on surface water and groundwater at the local level. This will enable The Meadows Center to provide a policy roadmap for individual stakeholders, communities, and public officials to prepare Texas for challenges related to water resources, the environment, and the economy.
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