A new map created with measurements from an airborne instrument developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, reveals the devastating effect of California’s ongoing drought on Sierra Nevada conifer forests. After several years of extreme drought, the highly stressed conifers (trees that produce cones and are usually green year-round) of the Sierra Nevada are […]
Heading back up the hill from the airport, the large digital billboard on Interstate 80 — usually warning us all to be ready to “chain up” due to unsettled weather — seemed like a mixed message from the state of California Sunday night. “Severe drought … Limit outdoor watering,” the sign displayed. It seemed liked solid […]
California’s climate has always been hospitable to fire – it comes with the territory. But add five years of drought, a bark beetle blight killing trees by the millions and rising temperatures, and it’s a recipe for disaster. “We are seeing the compounded effects of climate change that includes five consecutive years of drought and […]
A report by the nonpartisan Climate Central says that 11 million people in California are at risk of wildfire and that climate change is lengthening the wildfire season. Previous reports by researchers have said wildfires in the western U.S. would become more intense, larger, and start earlier than usual as a result of climate change. […]
Californians: A solution to the drought may be under your feet, according to a study from Stanford scientists. Thousands of feet beneath the surface of the state’s Central Valley, one of the world’s biggest agricultural hubs, there may be up to 2,700 cubic kilometers of usable groundwater — nearly three times more than the amount […]
A Northern California judge’s ruling could delay construction of two large tunnels to more easily move water from the state’s central valley to the parched south. The Sacramento Bee reported that the judge invalidated a comprehensive environmental management plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The judge ruled that the plan must be “set aside” until […]
NASA Maps California Drought Effects on Sierra trees
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Phys.orgby Alan BuisA new map created with measurements from an airborne instrument developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, reveals the devastating effect of California’s ongoing drought on Sierra Nevada conifer forests. After several years of extreme drought, the highly stressed conifers (trees that produce cones and are usually green year-round) of the Sierra Nevada are […]
OPINION: Mixed Messages on the Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Union of Grass Valleyby Brian HamiltonHeading back up the hill from the airport, the large digital billboard on Interstate 80 — usually warning us all to be ready to “chain up” due to unsettled weather — seemed like a mixed message from the state of California Sunday night. “Severe drought … Limit outdoor watering,” the sign displayed. It seemed liked solid […]
Perfect Storm Brewing for California Fire Season
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /UPI (Washington, D.C.)by Tara LohanCalifornia’s climate has always been hospitable to fire – it comes with the territory. But add five years of drought, a bark beetle blight killing trees by the millions and rising temperatures, and it’s a recipe for disaster. “We are seeing the compounded effects of climate change that includes five consecutive years of drought and […]
More Wildfires, Starting Sooner, Burning More Acres
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by Ed JoyceA report by the nonpartisan Climate Central says that 11 million people in California are at risk of wildfire and that climate change is lengthening the wildfire season. Previous reports by researchers have said wildfires in the western U.S. would become more intense, larger, and start earlier than usual as a result of climate change. […]
Is California Sitting on the Solution to its Drought?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CNNby Joshua BerlingerCalifornians: A solution to the drought may be under your feet, according to a study from Stanford scientists. Thousands of feet beneath the surface of the state’s Central Valley, one of the world’s biggest agricultural hubs, there may be up to 2,700 cubic kilometers of usable groundwater — nearly three times more than the amount […]
Judge’s Ruling Could Delay California’s Water Tunnel Project
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Associated Press (As Published by KRON 4 - San Francisco)A Northern California judge’s ruling could delay construction of two large tunnels to more easily move water from the state’s central valley to the parched south. The Sacramento Bee reported that the judge invalidated a comprehensive environmental management plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The judge ruled that the plan must be “set aside” until […]