We must become nimble, flexible, and most importantly, very honest. This problem faces us all, and it is frightening, but nothing that can’t be mitigated and adapted to through objective analysis, careful planning, and teamwork. We cannot continue business as usual and still survive, we must change, and that starts by admitting there’s a problem. Our outlook going forward must be non-anthropocentric, where we become agents of positive change, of protection, but ultimately a functional piece of the natural world like we always could have been.
Thanks Dee! Absolutely, they weren't exactly blessed with good data I imagine. However, as you say, the issue is the prolonged implementation of that strategy: that the approach to management has relied on the assumption of stationarity. Thanks for jumping in!
"The primary mistake of the commission was not in getting the estimate wrong, however. It was in assuming that river flows conform to some long-term average over time."
Averages are statistical fictions that make things seem more stable than they are. Life is unpredictable change and variation and your "nonstationarity". That makes us anxious. But we will make serious errors if we don't deal with things as they are (reality). That's what science is about.
How I wish we had the political will and personal fortitude to, "prioritise nature-based solutions," for our immediate and future resiliency.
To piggy-back on prior comments, the data might not have been accurate when the compact was agrred but that is known, yet, making changes is much akin to dragging feet in the stream beds sand waiting for the water to melt from the high country. Until the snow is low ...
Totally, Stacy! Thanks for your thoughts. Agree. As always, it's short-term thinking that's the killer. A quick buck is always favoured over giving something to your descendants. Seventh generation thinking should be required in decision making.
The problem with all predictions is inadequate data . The other problem is trying to find a solution with in boundaries when the causations are far larger in nature . The ecology of the earth never assumes the requirement that human populations and their absorption of resources must reduce in order for any satisfactory outcome to result. Beyond this is the fractured and self absorbed political system which never looks ahead , rather sideways to avoid acknowledging the real acute problem // to many people in a to small place with no plan . It looks bleak to me
It's hard sometimes to keep a positive perspective when there are so many barriers to positive change and the issues are so huge. But I remain hopeful because it's our only way to make a dent. Agree that inadequate data hampers things -- but modelling tools are getting better at dealing with various forms of data in various qualities. Appreciate your thoughts!
We must become nimble, flexible, and most importantly, very honest. This problem faces us all, and it is frightening, but nothing that can’t be mitigated and adapted to through objective analysis, careful planning, and teamwork. We cannot continue business as usual and still survive, we must change, and that starts by admitting there’s a problem. Our outlook going forward must be non-anthropocentric, where we become agents of positive change, of protection, but ultimately a functional piece of the natural world like we always could have been.
Well said!
I can only imagine what limited data those men were dealing with when they built the Colorado River allocations. 🙄
What’s more appalling—as you point out so well—is that the management of it has remained the same despite the plethora of new data.
Great article.
Thanks Dee! Absolutely, they weren't exactly blessed with good data I imagine. However, as you say, the issue is the prolonged implementation of that strategy: that the approach to management has relied on the assumption of stationarity. Thanks for jumping in!
"The primary mistake of the commission was not in getting the estimate wrong, however. It was in assuming that river flows conform to some long-term average over time."
Averages are statistical fictions that make things seem more stable than they are. Life is unpredictable change and variation and your "nonstationarity". That makes us anxious. But we will make serious errors if we don't deal with things as they are (reality). That's what science is about.
Good writing Jonathan! 👏
Absolutely! Thanks Baird!
How I wish we had the political will and personal fortitude to, "prioritise nature-based solutions," for our immediate and future resiliency.
To piggy-back on prior comments, the data might not have been accurate when the compact was agrred but that is known, yet, making changes is much akin to dragging feet in the stream beds sand waiting for the water to melt from the high country. Until the snow is low ...
Totally, Stacy! Thanks for your thoughts. Agree. As always, it's short-term thinking that's the killer. A quick buck is always favoured over giving something to your descendants. Seventh generation thinking should be required in decision making.
The problem with all predictions is inadequate data . The other problem is trying to find a solution with in boundaries when the causations are far larger in nature . The ecology of the earth never assumes the requirement that human populations and their absorption of resources must reduce in order for any satisfactory outcome to result. Beyond this is the fractured and self absorbed political system which never looks ahead , rather sideways to avoid acknowledging the real acute problem // to many people in a to small place with no plan . It looks bleak to me
It's hard sometimes to keep a positive perspective when there are so many barriers to positive change and the issues are so huge. But I remain hopeful because it's our only way to make a dent. Agree that inadequate data hampers things -- but modelling tools are getting better at dealing with various forms of data in various qualities. Appreciate your thoughts!
Optimal solutions start with seeing things as they are, and adapting practices with new information. Great work laying this out scientifically!
Thanks very much, Doug!
Loved reading this, very well explained and solution-oriented! We've included a link to this post in the latest Effective Environmentalism newsletter.
Thanks very much, Soemano! Appreciate that.
Another great article Jono. The information is out there, it just has to be acted upon. I agree wholeheartedly with Sekr et-Tiar.
Thanks very much, Kim! Absolutely.