Climatology experts to converge in Tucson

The symposium, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., will be held at Hotel Park Tucson, 5151 E. Grant Road, just east of Swan Road.

The event is hosted by the Udall Center. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Global Change Research Program.

The symposium is one of 18 regional meetings that will be convened across the nation to discuss climate issues and draft recommendations relating to these issues. These meetings were mandated by the White House in recognition of the ravages which can be wreaked by such weather phenomenon as floods, drought and wildfires.

"We're all affected by climate changes and learning about how its going to affect us can help us better plan to respond," said Robert Meredith, coordinator for Global Change and U.S. Mexico Border Programs.

Meredith is helping to organize the symposium.

This symposium considers climate in Arizona, New Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border. The UA was chosen to play host because of the large number of faculty engaged in climate research, Meredith said.

Several UA faculty will be giving presentations and welcomes alongside representatives and researchers from various organizations in Arizona and across the United States.

Thomas Swetnam, associate professor in the Laboratory for Tree-Ring Research, will discuss the pattern of drought and wet periods that characterize the climate pattern of the Southwest as revealed through tree rings. He said that these climate changes can have great impact on many sectors of the Southwest.

"When these droughts and wet periods occur we can have some extreme repercussions both with the ecosystem and the human culture and population," he said.

Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior John Garamendi will be on hand to welcome program participants.

Following symposium discussions, a group of researchers, representatives and stakeholders will meet to draft recommendations which will guide decision making on climate issues in the Southwest.

The symposium audience, which includes UA students as well as interested citizens, will also be given time to ask questions and offer input.

"This will definitely be a wonderful learning experience for students," Meredith said.

While the registration deadline was Friday, students are invited to register as long as open spaces remain. The capacity is 350 and interested students may check on availability by contacting the Udall Center at 621-7189.