Thursday January 22, 2026
Maven’s Notebook —
California’s climate is changing in ways that challenge our understanding of water management, ecosystems, and infrastructure. From rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns to the intensifying extremes of droughts and floods, the state faces a future of increasing variability and unpredictability. Recognizing the urgent need to understand the rapidly evolving science of climate change and its impacts on the Delta, the Delta Independent Science Board hosted an emerging climate science symposium in September 2025 at UC Davis.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Daniel Swain, Climate Scientist with the California Institute for Water Resources, UC Ag and Natural Resources. In his presentation, he discussed the profound impacts of climate change on California’s water systems, including rising temperatures, increasing variability in precipitation, and the intensification of extreme events like droughts, floods, and wildfires. He highlighted the science behind these changes, the uncertainties that remain, and the critical need for proactive adaptation strategies to address the challenges ahead.