Attendees from the American Meteorological Society conference in Phoenix were here today to see how we address complex local and national policy decisions at the Decision Theater.

They looked at one of the more complex models we have worked on here called WaterSim. It’s a way of modeling water in relation to climate uncertainty. About 90 people came through for back-to-back presentations. Interestingly, this closely follows NOAA’s full-day conference just two days ago.

Coincidence? Maybe.

If you look at the topics at AMS’ Summer Policy Colloquium, you’ll see they look at the implications of climate on cities and growth –something we focus a lot on here. One paper notes that soon –and for the first time in the history of our species– more humans will live in urban areas than they do in rural places. That sounds a lot like the discussion I heard at the breakout session of the oceanic and atmospheric policymakers. Later next week AMS will join NOAA representatives to see how new research activities in the Phoenix area could help climate warnings.

Arizona appears to have the perfect climate for this kind of thinking, with so much going on here at the Global Institute of Sustainability, and ASU and even at UA. Literally, too. One attendee ruefully remarked on Friday that the weather back home was 22 degrees –as he stepped out the door for some sunshine!