California’s years-long drought has caused problems big and small, but it has also sparked a call to dramatically speed up innovation in the water industry. California of all places, advocates say, should lead the way in revolutionizing water management and water technology. “It’s not the first time the state has faced a major resource crisis, and, […]
It was Monday afternoon, and Dino Cortopassi hadn’t yet heard about the latest jab which Gov. Jerry Brown had taken against Cortopassi’s Proposition 53 just a few hours earlier. Speaking at an event in San Francisco, Brown suggested that his dog, Sutter, had a message for Californians: “Pee on 53.” The 79-year-old Cortopassi paused upon […]
The San Francisco Bay is an estuary — an ecological mixing bowl where salty waters from the Pacific Ocean meet the fresh runoff that flows down from the high sierra through the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and eventually to the sea. The brackish blending together of these aquatic inputs produces one of the most abundant ecosystems […]
For years companies have targeted consumers with advertising that leverages social pressure – like saying seven out of 10 people prefer a certain brand of toothpaste or laundry detergent. More recently, that kind of thinking has been used not just to sell products, but also to change behavior. “Behavioral economists assert that in the absence of […]
California is in the middle of its fifth year in drought. Experts say it has been the worst the state has seen in 1,200 years. Dwindling reservoirs, shrinking lakes, and dried-up farm fields dot the state’s landscape — and despite some recent signs of recovery, the overall outlook is still ominously dry. Across the state, […]
The answer to our drought may come from what we call Atmospheric Rivers, or ARs for short. Seven out of the last 12 droughts ended when these big fire hoses of water in the sky took aim at California. ARs can carry about the same amount of water as 20 Mississippi Rivers! And now we […]
BLOG: Eleven Experts to Watch on California Water Innovation
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Eline GordtsCalifornia’s years-long drought has caused problems big and small, but it has also sparked a call to dramatically speed up innovation in the water industry. California of all places, advocates say, should lead the way in revolutionizing water management and water technology. “It’s not the first time the state has faced a major resource crisis, and, […]
Cortopassi’s Race Nears Finish Line As Showdown With Gov. Brown Draws Big Bucks
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Record Net (Stockton)by Alex BreitlerIt was Monday afternoon, and Dino Cortopassi hadn’t yet heard about the latest jab which Gov. Jerry Brown had taken against Cortopassi’s Proposition 53 just a few hours earlier. Speaking at an event in San Francisco, Brown suggested that his dog, Sutter, had a message for Californians: “Pee on 53.” The 79-year-old Cortopassi paused upon […]
As Californians Fight Over Fresh Water, The San Francisco Bay Barely Survives
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Pacific Standard (Santa Barbara)by Jimmy TobiasThe San Francisco Bay is an estuary — an ecological mixing bowl where salty waters from the Pacific Ocean meet the fresh runoff that flows down from the high sierra through the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and eventually to the sea. The brackish blending together of these aquatic inputs produces one of the most abundant ecosystems […]
BLOG: Social Norms Messaging: How Water Agencies Can Change Our Habits
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanFor years companies have targeted consumers with advertising that leverages social pressure – like saying seven out of 10 people prefer a certain brand of toothpaste or laundry detergent. More recently, that kind of thinking has been used not just to sell products, but also to change behavior. “Behavioral economists assert that in the absence of […]
20 Devastating Photos Show What California’s Drought-Stricken Reservoirs Look Like Now Compared To A Decade Ago
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AOLby Erin BrodwinCalifornia is in the middle of its fifth year in drought. Experts say it has been the worst the state has seen in 1,200 years. Dwindling reservoirs, shrinking lakes, and dried-up farm fields dot the state’s landscape — and despite some recent signs of recovery, the overall outlook is still ominously dry. Across the state, […]
Water Managers Will Have A New Tool To Measure Reservoir Releases
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /ABC10 (Sacramento)by Monica WoodsThe answer to our drought may come from what we call Atmospheric Rivers, or ARs for short. Seven out of the last 12 droughts ended when these big fire hoses of water in the sky took aim at California. ARs can carry about the same amount of water as 20 Mississippi Rivers! And now we […]