Sectoral Impacts of Drought and Climate Change

Abstract:

This project examines impacts of drought and climate change on climate sensitive sectors in the Southwest, focusing on ag­riculture and outdoor recreation and tourism. The effects of drought on income and employment will be estimated. The U.S. Agricultural Resources Model, a 12-region, 32-commodity model of U.S. agricul­ture, will be developed to examine effects of severe water shortages and large water price increases on agriculture in the Colorado and Upper Rio Grande basins. The project also combines regression and input-out­put models to assess how economic and environmental changes affect the local economies of gateway communities surrounding national parks in the Southwest.

Project Partners:

• California State University San Bernardino
• Arizona State University Department of Economics
• Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Management