2017 Sammler, K. Fog, clouds, and rain: Incorporating the atmosphere into a hydrosocial framework. Association of Pacific Coast Geographers (APCG) Annual Meeting, Chico CA, 26–28 Oct.
TITLE: Fog, clouds, and rain: Incorporating the atmosphere into a hydrosocial framework
AUTHOR: Katherine Sammler, California State University Maritime Academy
ABSTRACT: In California, we interact with water at multiple points in the hydrologic cycle as it changes from gas to liquid to solid; socked in by Pacific fog, drinking water from Hetch Hetchy, playing in Sierra’s snow. Pondering the hydrosocial cycle of water raises questions like: Who owns the rain? How is fog managed? Does cloud seeding create a “downstream” effect? Relationships between water and society have become an important focus of research for many social scientists, giving rise to the term hydro-social, a theoretical approach meant to emphasize the social constructions and power relations of water. While much attention is paid to certain elements of the hydro-social cycle, other elements remain either understudied or altogether ignored. This research will begin to incorporate the atmosphere into a hydrosocial framework.
saltygeographies 