Climate Change in the Gunnison River Basin

Western Colorado is at Ground Zero in the global climate emergency.

The Colorado Farm & Food Alliance is leading in rural climate awareness and action.

  • We educate the public and policy-makers about how climate change affects local farms, food systems, and our region.

  • We center farms and local communities in building a more resilient rural Colorado.

  • We demonstrate and support tangible solutions like regenerative agriculture, rural renewables, and conservation.

  • We connect these locally-rooted solutions and activities with strategic engagement opportunities to secure climate action at the local, state and national levels.

The Colorado Farm & Food Alliance climate change resources include a monthly climate blog, below (and on our blog page), that considers climate change news and developments in the context of Western Colorado, farms, and food systems.

We curate a current list of relevant articles, resources and research that we are following to keep informed on the climate crisis, how it is impacting western Colorado, and what is being done in the region to respond.

We also have The Gunnison Basin: Ground Zero in the Climate Emergency, our 2023 report detailing the state of the climate emergency and key paths for action.

Find all of that, and more, below.

Welcome to our climate blog series.

Here we will be exploring some of the pressing challenges facing Western Colorado due to climate change, and solutions to address them.

Each post delves into a specific issue or topic, offering insights from various resources and perspectives. To deepen understanding on these important matters, we’ve included source links within each blog to allow readers to learn more and take informed action.

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Climate Change and Colorado Agriculture: Challenges, Adaptations, and Solutions
Climate Change and Colorado Agriculture: Challenges, Adaptations, and Solutions

Climate change is reshaping agriculture and food systems around the world, presenting both challenges and opportunities. That includes here in western Colorado. 

Impacts we are already experiencing range from extreme weather events and water scarcity to growing seasons and crop productivity changes. And agriculture, together with related land-use, is a major contributor to the drivers of climate change. 

However, agriculture also holds the potential to adapt to these changes and as a solution to the climate crisis. Here's a look into the intersection of climate change and agriculture, incorporating insights from the Gunnison Basin.

The Western Colorado Water Year 2023-2024: A Closer Look
The Western Colorado Water Year 2023-2024: A Closer Look

The water year, spanning from October 2023 to September 2024, plays a crucial role in understanding Western Colorado's water dynamics. This article delves into the observations from this water year and what they mean for the future of water in Western Colorado.

Gunnison Basin: A Hub for Rural Climate Action
Gunnison Basin: A Hub for Rural Climate Action

An update on climate change indicators documented throughout 2023, along with some new information on policy and local projects that highlight climate solutions.

More Climate Change Resources

  • The climate emergency poses an existential threat to our businesses, farms, and communities but there is no shortage of things we can be doing to address it.

    This report provides useful information on the climate crisis and its impacts on the Gunnison River Basin. It also provides examples of available actions for individuals, businesses, and governments.

  • Our climate change resource page includes media articles and other updated information, resources and useful links, to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts in the Gunnison River Basin, as well as ways the region is responding to this threat.

  • We work to center rural climate action in three big ways:

Regenerate the Future.

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