Dear University Star,

My name is William Lunkenheimer, and I am a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin currently taking coursework in marine science. Having gone to school and lived in San Marcos for five years, I found your article on the importance of the river to both residents and the ecosystem, very compelling.

In my studies, I’ve been learning about the intersection of climate change and water runoff. In particular, greenhouse gas emissions and warming contribute to instability in natural climate patterns, leading to longer periods of drought and unexpected cold snaps.

Based on this increasingly frequent pattern of longer, arid conditions, I believe one significant factor of the current Stage 3 drought restrictions on the city of San Marcos is the broader effect of climate change. Warming increases the atmosphere’s capacity to hold water, leading to more variable precipitation patterns. This, in turn, causes longer dry periods, leaving less water available for the aquifer to recharge. Furthermore, even when the rain does come, it tends to fall on more parched, compacted soil, causing runoff instead of recharge.

Overall, I agree that the river, which flows through popular spots like Sewell Park, is vital to both the residents and the delicate ecosystem of San Marcos, and I believe that this balance may be further disrupted by climate change. I hope that recognizing these broader warming patterns and lengthening cycles of drought will encourage students and residents alike to conserve water while voicing their concerns, demonstrating that global warming is a real problem directly impacting our community and something we have an ethical obligation to protect.

Sincerely,

William Lunkenheimer