Letter: MBCA Joins Scientists to Request Greater Consideration of Desert Carbon Sequestration in Climate Change Planning

Home »
MBCA News »
MBCA Takes a Stand »Letter: MBCA Joins Scientists to Request Greater Consideration of Desert Carbon Sequestration in Climate Change Planning

Letter: MBCA Joins Scientists to Request Greater Consideration of Desert Carbon Sequestration in Climate Change Planning

Posted by on August 03, 2021

Related MBCA News follows this letter.

Featured post

New Joshua Tree Research Uses iNaturalist Data

Posted by Laraine Turk · August 21, 2024 3:15 PM
A new study in the online journal Ecology Letters focuses on changes to Joshua tree viability and blooming since the early 20th century. The study uses data from citizen scientist reports of Joshua trees and their blooms through the iNaturalist app, plus historic data. While climate change seems to be increasing the frequency of Joshua Tree blooming, it is also negatively affecting the survival of Joshua tree seedlings. A Los Angeles Times article explains the study and includes comment from Kelly Herbinson, Mojave Desert Land Trust Executive Director.
Add your reaction Share
Featured post

Another Step Forward for Chuckwalla National Monument

Posted by Laraine Turk · June 24, 2024 12:04 PM

Senate Joint Resolution 16 in support of Chuckwalla National Monument successfully passed a floor vote in the California State Senate and now moves to the Assembly for a final vote this summer. MBCA has strongly supported the establishment of the Monument. This measure would urge the President to use the Antiquities Act of 1906 to establish the Chuckwalla National Monument, and to establish a National Park Service managed Joshua Tree National Monument adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park.

Add your reaction Share
Featured post

Desert Sun Op-Ed Points to Cadiz Exploitation

Posted by Laraine Turk · June 10, 2024 2:58 PM
A June 9 opinion article in the San Bernardino Sun points to the continuing irresponsible actions of the Cadiz corporation in seeking to pump precious desert water from a key aquifer in the Mojave Desert. Their recent efforts to gain approval for their project within the Latino community is pointed out in particular as exploitative. Click our tag Cadiz below to find many past reports about the Cadiz water project.
Add your reaction Share
Featured post

MBCA Supports Joshua Tree Community Center Improvement Grant

Posted by Laraine Turk · May 08, 2024 4:01 PM
Joshua Tree's County Service Area 20 submitted a grant for improvements to the Community Center facilities that would "reduce the impacts of extreme heat, build community resilience, and strengthen the Joshua Tree community's vulnerability to heat." MBCA's letter supports the proposed improvements that include new outdoor cooling technology, drought-tolerant native landscaping, shade trees, community art, and more.

Add your reaction Share
Featured post

MBCA Joins 21 Groups to Correct Inaccurate Desert Land Classification in California’s Climate Smart Strategy

Posted by Laraine Turk · February 27, 2024 2:09 PM
In a recent update to California’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, a group of 22 organizations including MBCA have replied to the state’s request for comment with serious concerns about how desert lands are inappropriately classified as “Sparsely Vegetated Lands.” This inaccurate classification greatly reduces the carbon sequestration and other critical values gained by conserving desert lands in the state’s response to climate change. Our February 27 letter clearly states and scientifically corroborates four arguments for separating deserts from the “sparsely vegetated” designation. The letter was written by the Inland Desert Working Group (IDWG), which has been “the voice of the desert” in the ongoing state activities seeking to protect and conserve 30% of California’s lands by 2030. The IDWG also recently authored the comprehensive report The California Desert’s Role in 30X30: Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity. The California Natural Resources Agency website also contains a great deal of background and links to videos about the Climate Smart Strategy.
Add your reaction Share
Featured post

Letter: Group Comments on California Climate Smart Strategy

Posted by Laraine Turk · February 27, 2024 10:46 AM
Add your reaction Share
Featured post

Report Outlines Critical Role of Desert Region in 30x30 Effort

Posted by Laraine Turk · February 07, 2024 4:06 PM
The report, “The California Desert’s Role in 30X30: Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity” presents a comprehensive explanation of the vital role the Desert Region plays in carbon sequestration and biodiversity as part of California’s goal of “conserving and protecting 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.” The report’s recommendation is: “intact desert lands need to be left undisturbed.” MBCA is proud that Board members Pat Flanagan and Arch McCulloch were members of the team producing this critically important study.
Add your reaction Share
Featured post

MBCA Joins Statewide Advocacy for CEQA

Posted by Laraine Turk · January 29, 2024 2:03 PM
MBCA is among 109 organizational allies requesting that the state legislative bodies and the Governor protect and preserve the California Environmental Quality Act. The letter is presented in response to special interests seeking to scapegoat the Act as an impediment to progress in California, particularly in housing development. Within the letter are many examples of data proving the successes and value of the Act to environmental justice, climate change, preservation of species and ecosystems.

Add your reaction Share
Featured post

MBCA Comments at County Land Use Services Open House

Posted by Laraine Turk · September 06, 2023 6:57 PM

At the County Land Use Services Open House held in Joshua Tree on August 30, MBCA's President Steve Bardwell talked at some length with Mark Wardlaw, new Director of the department. MBCA sent a followup letter outlining concerns about land use issues that affect the Morongo Basin's unincorporated communities particularly. The letter includes some specific suggestions and summarizes our concerns related to water issues, Community Action Guides, climate change, Short-Term Rental ordinances, and a number of other topics.
Add your reaction Share
Featured post

Recommendation for Carbon Sequestration in the California Desert

Posted by Laraine Turk · August 22, 2023 10:54 AM
With extensive research support, the Inland Deserts Working Group (IDWG) that is connected with the California Natural Resources 30x30 planning process has produced Nature Based Solutions - Desert Sector, a report to the state recommending "conserving 100% of undisturbed non-military public lands annually based on current levels, starting in 2024." Two MBCA Board members on the IDWG believe that this document is a definitive report proving the high value of the undisturbed desert in achieving California's climate change goals.
Add your reaction Share

See All Climate Change

Do you like this post?

Showing 2 reactions

Laraine Turk published this page in MBCA Takes a Stand 2021-08-26 13:58:17 -0700
Laraine Turk published this page in MBCA Takes a Stand 2021-08-26 13:53:04 -0700

Donate Join Our Membership Join Our News Network

Letter: MBCA Joins Scientists to Request Greater Consideration of Desert Carbon Sequestration in Climate Change Planning

Showing 2 reactions

Sign in

Create an account

MBCA Opposes SB 607 CEQA Changes

MBCA Files Comments on OfLand Project in Twentynine Palms

"Finding Balance" Event Encourages Involvement in Local Development

MBCA Joins Power in Nature Coalition Comments on 30X30

MBCA Comments on Rancho Lucerne Housing Project

Eblast: May 23, 2025

Joshua Tree Village Neighbors File Petition Challenging Lovemore Ranch Approval

MBCA Scholarships for 2025 Announced

MBCA Featured on Z107.7 Up Close Radio Show