Reports and Publications

Reports and publications from MCAP's work can be found below. Use the filters to search publications by author, year published, or project.

Photo of a small lake with grass and trees

Climate Change Impacts on Minnesota Agriculture

MCAP partnered with the USDA's Midwest Climate Hub, the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments, the Northern Forests Climate Hub, and the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science to develop an agricultural vulnerability assessment for Minnesota. This report includes historical climate change information from 1979 to 2021, projected changes under future greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, impacts of these changes (both historical and projected) on agricultural operations, and considerations for adapting agricultural operations to these impacts. The climate metrics presented in these assessments include temperature, precipitation, humidity, and their extremes.

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Graphic showing 3 aspects of effective climate communication: tell personal stories, share local information, and focus on the other person's values

A Community-Based Approach to Climate Science Communication: Results From a Pilot Climate Extension Program

More frequent, effective climate conversations initiated by a diversity of trusted voices can help to increase climate concern and desire for action at the community level. However, in the United States, there is a disconnect between the level of concern individuals have about climate change and the extent to which individuals talk about the issue. To help bridge this gap, the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership developed a training program aimed at inspiring and equipping local community members across Greater Minnesota with the skills and confidence to have effective conversations about climate change in their communities. This paper summarizes the programmatic activities we used to support our goals, and some reflections on the program's results. This pilot program provides a framework for future efforts that can be facilitated by Extension programs, community-based organizations, universities, and others to inspire and accelerate similar community-centered climate conversations.

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Environmental Communication cover

The Worth of Nature: Valuations of Glaciers in Alaskan and Norwegian Media Discourse

This article presents a comparative case study of public valuation of glaciers in Alaska and Norway. The first case examines Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier, which has been central in public debate over the US Forest Service’s proposed expansion of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. The second case centers on Norway’s Svartisen glacier, which garnered international attention when the startup company, Svaice, announced its intent to extract glacier ice cubes for cocktail coolers at high-end bars and restaurants. A rhetorical analysis of newspaper coverage relevant to each case reveals that in both debates, instrumental, relational, and intrinsic values are attributed to the respective glaciers, and that government, business, and community actors hold the most power in these conversations. However, nuances within articulations of instrumental value suggest that Norwegian actors strive to balance human and glacier needs, whereas Alaskan actors largely prioritize human needs by constituting the glacier as a utilitarian object.

Please contact Catherine Bruns for a copy of this publication.

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Map of consecutive dry days in the Midwest

Climate change and drought in Minnesota and the Midwest

This document is intended to provide a brief overview of observed and projected changes to precipitation in Minnesota. Minnesota has become wetter on average over the past 120 years, and that trend is expected to continue, but climate change will likely make precipitation in Minnesota more unstable and intense. Between heavy rain events, Minnesota will likely have longer dry periods and more flash droughts. Transitions between very wet and very dry periods are also likely to accelerate.

Use this summary to learn more about the details of the projections and the potential impacts these changes could have on Minnesotans.

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Climate Modeling Primer Cover Image

Climate Modeling: An Introductory Primer for Practitioners

This document is intended to provide an introductory overview to climate models and their function. It explains the basics of how a climate model works, how data can be transformed from a global to a regional scale, and the constraints placed on modeling as a result of computational power. It also explains the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) and modeling scenarios established by CMIP. It is not an exhaustive overview, nor is it intended to replace a formal modeling course for those wishing to run climate models. The intended audience includes those who would like to understand or are interested in using model output. 

This product is part of the Agricultural Weather Study funded by the Minnesota State Department of Commerce.

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The Climate Action Handbook by Heidi Roop cover

The Climate Action Handbook

This handbook, by MCAP Director Dr. Heidi Roop, explains why we need to take action now to combat climate change and offers 100 varied and doable solutions. A visually stunning guide, it does what no other climate change book manages to do: it's approachable, digestible, and offers the average person ideas, options, and a roadmap for action. It also offers hope—often overlooked in climate change conversations. Climate actions can create near-instantaneous improvements in air quality and can offer ways to address societal inequities, green our communities, save money, and build local economies. 

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Tractor in a field

Assessing stakeholder climate data needs for farm-level decision-making in the U.S. Corn Belt

This study investigated climate information needs and priorities of stakeholders in the U.S. Corn Belt. Results reveal that stakeholders are primarily concerned with practical and tactical decision making to inform agricultural, water, and risk management and to support desired economic outcomes. The study can be used to inform development of decision support tools that respond to these information needs and present data in a meaningful and accessible way. 

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Climate Forward Report Cover

Climate Forward: How Climate Projections Are(n’t) Used to Inform Design

In this study, the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) and HGA characterize the climate projection data needs of Architecture and Engineering (A&E) professionals in the United States; challenges they encounter accessing, understanding, and applying these data; and opportunities to advance A&E climate resilience services and expertise.  

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Brain with globe superimposed on it

"It's Hard to Give Hope Sometimes": Climate Change, Mental Health, and the Challenges for Mental Health Professionals

MCAP Climate Resilience Researcher, Brenda Hoppe, and colleagues Leah Prussia, Christie Manning, Kristin Raab, and Kelsey Jones-Casey share their findings in the new publication “It’s Hard to Give Hope Sometimes”: Climate Change, Mental Health, and the Challenges for Mental Health Professionals in the journal Ecopsychology.The paper highlights research regarding the growing challenges facing mental health professionals as clients experience the mental health impacts of climate change. A comprehensive survey was conducted with over 500 active licensed Minnesota mental health professionals and found a need for more interdisciplinary research to design and implement tools to address the impacts of climate change on clients.

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