CSUMB researchers explore different perspectives on climate change

By Mark Muckenfuss

There is almost no disagreement any longer among scientists that climate change is a reality and that its effects are already upon us. A number of researchers at Cal State Monterey Bay are engaged in work that is either measuring those effects or finding ways to combat them. Among the studies are those looking at off-gassing from agricultural fields, warmer ocean water's impact on coral reefs, and wildlife preservation.

There is also work being done in some less obvious areas. 

Yong Lao

Geography Professor Yong Lao believes he can make an impact on climate change using cartography. 

“If an image is worth a thousand words,” Lao said, “a map is worth a thousand images.”

And, he argues, it can provide critical information for mitigating the effects of climate change. In particular, his work looks at the ways in which underserved communities are often the most vulnerable to climate-related events such as flooding, drought and wildfires.

By overlaying geographic information system maps, Lao can combine population information such as socio-economic status, with other data sets such as air, water and ground pollution, and risk factors for natural disasters. 

“We’ve identified three GIS models, that have been widely publicized,” he said.

The first and second models identify disadvantaged communities, using government data that measures exposure to pollution, health quality and socioeconomic burdens. 

“The third model is the national risk index developed by FEMA,” he said, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Administration. The index establishes community risk for 18 natural disasters.

Integrating those three models, Lao said, can show people the degree of risk their communities are facing from social, environmental and climate factors. 

Until now, Lao has only been using the maps as a tool for teaching his students about the potential of GIS. It’s time, he said, to go beyond that. 

“This year, I’m elevating this into a formal research project,” he said. 

“For any county in California, we’ll be able to identify the associated risk factors,” he said. “Sea-level rise and drought are the biggest risk factors for Monterey County.”

He plans to share the data as interactive web maps with government agencies. 

“These maps would be useful for all kinds of decision-making and planning,” he said. “When people are requesting funding from the government for support, they can use this, particularly as it relates to climate change.”

Beyond that, he thinks it will be of interest to the community at large.

“I think the general public would be very interested in learning about the risk to their own communities,” he said. “If we can come up with a nice package, people all over the country will be able to check that out.

“By making complex data accessible and engaging,” Lao added, “I hope to empower communities and policymakers to make informed decisions for a more resilient future.”

Arun Jani

Like some of his colleagues, Arun Jani, assistant professor in the Biology and Chemistry department, is trying to determine the optimum use of nitrogen as a fertilizer in agricultural fields in the hope of reducing current levels. His projects run from fields near Soledad to test plots in Watsonville. 

In addition to decreased fertilizer use, Jani is also evaluating the effects of using a material called biochar in the soil and determining ideal crop rotations. All of these, he said, can make a significant impact on the amount of greenhouse gasses the agricultural industry produces. 

In Soledad, he said, “We’re testing three conservation practices. We have cover crops, compost and reduced nitrogen applications.”

Jani and his team are measuring crop yields under the three protocols.

“The goal is, is this going to improve crop production with less carbon?” he said.

Nitrogen fertilizers not only produce nitrous oxide gas, but they can also leach into groundwater and raise levels of nitrate, a harmful chemical. The industry standard for nitrogen fertilizers is to use 150 pounds per acre. Jani’s studies have shown that much less of the chemical can be used effectively for area crops. 

“What we found is our yields at 75 [pounds per acre] were the same as at 150,” he said.

Jani has been working with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation to experiment with the use of biochar, a carbon-rich material made from low-temperature and low-oxygen burning of waste material – anything from harvested trees to manure. The foundation has more of the material than it knows what to do with and Jani’s plan is to have organic farmers introduce it to their soil. The hope is that it will not only improve crop growth but also act as a carbon sponge, holding the element in the soil. 

“We think it could reduce fertilizer use,” Jani said of the biochar, “and it could improve soil moisture. That has a direct impact on greenhouse emissions.”

He’s also investigating the effect of raspberry crops on strawberry yields when the two berries are planted one after the other. There is anecdotal evidence from growers that strawberries do better when they follow a raspberry crop as opposed to something else, such as lettuce. Jani suspects the raspberries may leave more carbon debris in the soil, helping in the growing process. 

It’s all part of an ongoing effort to help both the local agricultural industry and the environment.

Paige Viren

The executive director of CSUMB’s Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism program, Paige Viren, said she understands the need to address climate change. 

“Travel and tourism creates about 9% of global emissions,” Viren said. “We have a duty as an industry to do something about it.”

As a member of the California Travel Association Board of Directors, she is in a position to help influence that industry. And, at the other end of the spectrum, she’s been influencing students ever since she came to the university in 2021.

"Since I arrived here, we've been working on integrating the concept of sustainability into all our courses,” she said. "For me, climate action is a fundamental aspect of that broader sustainability effort." 

She has appeared as a speaker at tourism conferences and led workshops on sustainability. Most recently, she was in Hawaii, where she directed a training session for travel industry members to earn Global Sustainable Tourism Council professional certification.

In the past year, she worked with See Monterey, the destination marketing organization for Monterey County, surveying the sustainability practices of resorts and tourism operators in and around Monterey. The criteria used in assessing each business were those of the global council. Viren said those surveyed were given what amounted to a report card along with recommendations for improving practices.

“These are kind of a wake-up call or a gentle reminder,” she said. “I think it’s a starting point for these businesses to look at things and be more intentional in their sustainability planning.”

Viren said she is encouraged by what she sees happening both in the tourism industry and the tourists it serves.

“Studies show 69% of consumers are looking for more sustainable travel options,” she said. 

She and her students are working to make that happen.