Climate change is impacting global water resources through changes in temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff. These changes are affecting watersheds and ecosystems. Wildfires have increased in number, size, and severity over the past 40 years due to climate change and forest management practices. Tree ring data from the Southwest US shows that a 10% change in precipitation can result in a 20% change in runoff. New Mexico has the potential to lead the next major energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables as it currently has significant solar and wind resources and ranks high for other renewable energy sources.

1. Current Global Water Stress
1

2. Climate Changes will Impact Temperatures,
Precipitation, Evapotranspiration, and Runoff
Nat. Geo. April 2009 from IPCC
Mid-latitude population belt will be strongly affected
2

3. Changes in Water Availability are Impacting
Watersheds and Associated Ecosystems
Current trends show that the number, size, and severity of wildland fires
has grown significantly over the past four decades
..
...
Two sources contribute: forest management practices and climate change
3

4. Southwest Precipitation Patterns
Based on Tree Ring Data
10% change in precipitation is a 20% change in runoff!
4

5. The U.S has Made Two Major Energy Transitions
Can New Mexico lead the Next Transition?
NM Energy – 1st Solar, 12th Wind, 5th NG, 5th Oil, 13th Coal, Uranium, Geothermal, 41st in hydropower
Major Energy Transitions
100%
90%
80%
70% Renewables
Nuclear
60%
Gas
50% Oil
Hydro
40%
Coal
30% Wood
20%
10%
0%
1850 1880 1910 1940 1970 2000
Source: Energy Information Administration
5
5