About Daniel Brown, Watershed Planner
Daniel coordinates the Huron River Water Trail, as well as projects to revitalize the river corridor. He is also leading HRWCs efforts in addressing PFAS contamination throughout this watershed. Daniel has previously worked as a climate scientist based at the University of Michigan and as a Mass Audubons climate change program manager. He enjoys encouraging conservation based on sound science, and getting people to appreciate Michigan’s natural resources. He joined HRWC in 2018, and he lives in Horseshoe Creekshed.
Overview
- The International Panel on Climate Change completed the second part (Climate Change 2022; Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability) of its Sixth Assessment Report on February 27, 2022. This was the Working Group II contribution to this sixth assessment report. Global warming of 1.5C (2.7F) is a major threat to the world’s climate. Even temporary increases in global warming will cause severe consequences that may not be reversed. There will be increased risks for society, including for infrastructure and low lying coastal settlements. Climate Resilient Development is already difficult at current temperatures, according to the report. It will be more difficult if global warming is greater than 1.5C (2.7F). Global warming exceeding 2C (3.6F) will make it impossible in certain regions.
- Hans-Otto Prtner, co-chair of the IPCC Working Group II, stated that healthy ecosystems are more resilient against climate change and provide vital services like food and clean water. Society can benefit from the natural ability of nature to store and absorb carbon by restoring damaged ecosystems. However, adequate funding and political support are necessary to make sustainable development possible. (Source: *directly quoted* https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/resources/press/press-release/)
- The report stresses the importance of concentrating the human population within environmentally sustainable cities to be able to preserve enough land for resilience against climate change. Ann Arbor has emphasized this by increasing density in the center of the city and protecting the surrounding land.
- Washtenaw County may have an advantage in land preservation over other American cities of similar size. There are many programs, agencies, and individuals who are dedicated to protecting the natural, cultural, and historical resources in the county. Ann Arbor Greenbelt, Ann Arbor Natural Areas Preservation Program. (NAP)., Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program. Ann Arbor Twps. Land preservation programs are also available.
- Daniel Brown, Huron River Watershed Council Watershed Planner, writes: Two important findings were highlighted in the report. 1) Not enough attention is being paid to land protection. 2) Many of the engineered attempts to adapt to climate changes have actually made matters worse. Michigan is well-positioned to address these two critical needs with infrastructure funding, as we have plenty of undeveloped, but unprotected land.
Resources:
Huron River Watershed Council on Climate Change
International Panel on Climate Change
Transcription
David Fair: The climate crisis is still the dark cloud above, and we are witnessing it rain down on us more and more. A new report states that the climate crisis is only going to get worse unless we take decisive and swift action. I’m David Fair and this is Issues of the Environment 89. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has completed the second part of its Sixth Assessment Report. It’s called “Climate Change 2022. Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability.” On February 27, a summary of its findings was released. Today’s guest is not only a broad-minded expert on climate issues but also focuses on the current state of our community, both proactively and reactively. Daniel Brown is the Huron River Watershed Council’s watershed planner. Daniel, thank you for taking the time to join us today.
Daniel Brown: David, I’m glad you were there.
David Fair: Daniel, what I was given was a summary of the entire report. I found the information alarming. However, I may be looking at it incorrectly without any context. Did it alarm or not?
Daniel Brown: It is alarming. These IPCC reports, you’ll remember, set the standard for summarizing the consensus of climate science and communicating it. They end up being the foundation for many other national, regional, and local reports, assessments, and they are incorporated into local plans as well as regional plans. This is a stark warning, but it was so alarming that it was a call to action.
David Fair: It’s interesting. It’s interesting to use the term “dire warning”. The IPCC chairperson stated that the report is a dire warning about what the consequences are of inaction. If we continue to live as we do, and temperatures rise an average of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit more each day, our ability for adaptation would be severely compromised. If it rises another 3.6°, some parts of the world and our country could be unable to cope. What kind of timeline does this put us on? Are we looking at a decade or generations?
Daniel Brown: There is no time for waiting. The problem with climate change, is that there is no hard deadline. There is no precipice. There is no cliff we have to fall over. Every ton of carbon we put into the atmosphere will make it worse. Climate change is going increase warming and will make it worse. Important to remember is that early action is crucial in addressing climate change. The carbon that we emit today will continue warming the planet for decades and even centuries. The cumulative effect of carbon emissions is therefore very significant. Therefore, everyone will benefit if carbon emissions are reduced as soon as possible.
David Fair:We can already observe the rise in drought, flooding and heat waves as well as severe and devastating storms. Last summer, there were three 50-year storms in the Huron River Watershed. These events are now exceeding animals and plants’ tolerance thresholds. Some tree species have suffered mass mortalities, as well as coral deaths. What are we going to do in the next generation if our current level of action is not improved?
Daniel Brown: Globally, it is a dire picture if we do not change our behavior. Already, ecosystems are being forced to adapt faster than possible. They can’t keep up with the speed of climate change and the pace at which it is increasing. We must give them time to adapt. We could face serious consequences if we don’t. You could see mass migration as certain parts of the planet become unlivable. Climate scientists often get asked the question, “Where do climate scientists think climate change will have the most severe effects on the planet?” It tends be in the equatorial areas. It is more common in countries with low capacity and very dry regions. People will tell you that the Middle East is very vulnerable. However, the southwestern United States, Gulf of Mexico, and Gulf of Mexico are also vulnerable to drought changes, increasing hurricane strength, and other natural disasters. All of this could put a strain on resources. It could lead to water shortages, food shortages, and even stress agriculture. All of this leads to a decrease in the ability of humans to adapt to climate change, which could lead to mass migration. This is a major concern in the IPCC reports. When you look at the world today, the stresses we face with refugee crises, energy demand, and people fighting for limited resources, all of this could get worse if we don’t change our behaviour.
David Fair:Continued discussion on Issues of the Environment with Huron River Watershed Council Watershed planner Daniel Brown, 89 one WEMU Let’s talk adaptation. We know that greenhouse gas emissions are a major factor in the climate change. We know that fossil fuels will continue to be used for the foreseeable future. We know we must create energy systems that are more efficient at capturing, storing, and then distributing renewable energies. Are we on a fast enough path to avoid further catastrophic climate change?
Daniel Brown: The outlook is not good right now. There are however things that make my heart happy. The speed at which technological advances have been made, especially in wind and sunlight, offshore wind, solar output, and offshore wind, is a great indicator of the potential for us to reduce global carbon emissions. These options aren’t being implemented fast enough. Even if we achieve a future with our current policies and promises, not even what’s really happening on the ground. But even if that path is in line our current global pledges and policies, it still puts us on a pretty disastrous trajectory. We need to reduce carbon emissions faster than we have them. Even if we do this, we still need to allow ecosystems and people to adapt to the carbon already emitted into our atmosphere. It’s going to continue warming the planet. It will continue to drive change.
David Fair: While we are focusing on that part of it, it is important to look at the whole picture. What role can land preservation, water quality preservation, as well as the way we create and preserve urban areas, play in adapting climate change?
Daniel Brown: That’s a great question. It’s also central to this particular IPCC Report. It was a major theme in the report and something that the Huron River Watershed Council is very interested in. We are looking at how we can manage our watershed to protect Michigan waters to its best. The central theme of land protection is essential. The report calls for protection of between 30 and 50 percent of all ecosystems worldwide. What’s important is to remember that this little piece of the planet only represents 30 or 50% of all ecosystems. It’s possible to apply this on a local level by looking at the land that’s been developed or might be developed. We should try to protect as much land as possible within the same ecosystem for each parcel that is developed.
David Fair: It is equally important to protect what we have that is not developed to this point, or even more important than reforesting areas.
Daniel Brown: That is crucial. That global directive should be applied to our region. It’s interesting that the report also cuts out inappropriate or misguided natural protective measures. Replanting grasslands with forests is not a good idea. This can cause damage to biodiversity and even disrupt the ecosystem. Protecting undisturbed natural environments is therefore more important than ever to address climate change. In Southeast Michigan, the Huron River Watershed is an example of this. It means protecting wetlands. It is about protecting forests. It also means protecting agricultural lands. It is possible that they will eventually return to their original grassland status. It’s about protecting the natural ecosystems we have near us. It’s more important than ever to protect the ecosystems in these areas from the development pressures we see around Ann Arbor and other communities.
David Fair: Our time together is almost over. But I have one last question. In some large circles of this country, science is now an opinion rather than a fact. Have you and your colleagues found a way to get back to a point in which science is viewed as factual-based truth within the court of public opinion, inside your research labs and offices?
Daniel Brown: That’s a big one. It’s also challenging for many people. I found scientists who were optimistic to be a good example of this. They believe in the scientific method and in the ability of people to discern fact from fiction. As scientists and people who use science, we have no choice but continue to follow the truth and to communicate that information as effectively as possible. We also need to incorporate that science into local plans and initiatives that will improve the lives of people in southeast Michigan, as well as around the globe.
David Fair: Daniel, thank you for your time and perspective today.
Daniel Brown: David, thank you so much.
David Fair: Daniel Brown is the one. He is the Huron River Watershed Council’s watershed planer and has been our guest for Issues of the Environment. This weekly feature is produced by the Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner. It is heard every Wednesday. David Fair is my name and he can be heard on WEMU FM and HD1 Ypsilanti.
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