Dr. Michael Kerwin (M.S. and Ph.D. from CU) is the Director of the Environmental Science Program and an Associate Professor of Geology at the University of Denver. Since 1992, he has conducted paleoclimate research on five continents including the Canadian Arctic, Western Australia, France, South Africa, and SE Asia. Currently, he is collaborating with residents of Cape Town (South Africa) to plan for future Day Zero type droughts that might be worsened by rapidly warming ocean currents in the South Atlantic. Dr. Kerwin’s primary passion is teaching. Since 2002, he has received seven teaching awards including the 2007 University of Denver William T. Driscoll Master Educator Award, the 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the 2022 Outstanding Teaching Award from the Office of the Provost.
Abstract
Mega-drought Demands Mega-changes: Can the Western USA Learn from South Africa’s Response to the Day Zero Drought?
The Western USA faces unprecedented water security challenges after two decades of drought combined with record high temperatures and evapotranspiration. Once dystopian scenarios involving discontinued hydropower production at Lake Powell and dead pools in Lake Mead are now featured in urgent pleas for collaborative action. Meanwhile, in 2018, Cape Town (South Africa) garnered international attention when the city coined the phrase “Day Zero” to warn that its rapidly dwindling water supply would soon be incapable of supplying water to residents, tourists, industry, and agriculture. This unprecedented tipping point never arrived, however, because of unmatched conservation, access to alternative sources, and the return of sufficient rainfall in 2018. This talk will examine lessons learned from the Day Zero drought that might help as scientists and policy makers try to restructure the fractured Colorado River system.