In the southern reaches of Egypt, the city of Aswan is one of the hottest and sunniest in the world. Temperatures reach 41C in the summer and less than a millimetre of rain falls each year. Some years it doesn’t rain at all. Aswan may be one of the world’s least rainy places, but it’s […]
It’s being called a marine heat wave. The combination of the strongest El Niño in recent history and the warm water anomaly known as the Blob generated the greatest amount of warm ocean water that has ever been recorded, possibly affecting marine life up and down the West Coast. New research has now linked the […]
The drought that has caused profound impacts on California’s residents and businesses has similarly taken a toll on the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem. In a world increasingly sensitive to the warning signs of ecological crisis — including climate change — the effect of the drought on species in the Bay-Delta requires careful attention. Biologists warn […]
Like many people who work on forestry issues in California, Jim Branham, executive officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, is still trying to wrap his head around the drought’s toll on the region’s forests and the 66 million dead trees reported in the Sierra Nevada last month. “It’s hard to comprehend,” he said, especially considering […]
Tribes are apprehensive, cities are more upbeat and farmers stand somewhere in between over a proposed plan to cut CAP water deliveries to keep Lake Mead from falling to dangerously low levels. At separate meetings here this week, tribal officials, attorneys and irrigation officials grilled Central Arizona Project officials about the proposal. It would require […]
Lake Tahoe is showing some severe impacts from the changing climate. Indicators released Thursday in the annual “State of the Lake” report packed a few surprises, even for scientists. For one thing, the lake has been warming faster than ever recorded. In 2015 the lake’s average temperature rose 0.48 degrees Fahrenheit — and over the last […]
Where are the World’s Most Water-Stressed Cities?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Guardian (New York)by Katherine PurvisIn the southern reaches of Egypt, the city of Aswan is one of the hottest and sunniest in the world. Temperatures reach 41C in the summer and less than a millimetre of rain falls each year. Some years it doesn’t rain at all. Aswan may be one of the world’s least rainy places, but it’s […]
Warm Water Blob Survives as El Niño Dies
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KTOO (Gavel, Ala.)by Matt MillerIt’s being called a marine heat wave. The combination of the strongest El Niño in recent history and the warm water anomaly known as the Blob generated the greatest amount of warm ocean water that has ever been recorded, possibly affecting marine life up and down the West Coast. New research has now linked the […]
OPINION: Delta Fish Health Vital to All
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /East Bay Times (Walnut Creek)by George MillerThe drought that has caused profound impacts on California’s residents and businesses has similarly taken a toll on the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem. In a world increasingly sensitive to the warning signs of ecological crisis — including climate change — the effect of the drought on species in the Bay-Delta requires careful attention. Biologists warn […]
Why Healthy Forests Mean Better Water Supply
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanLike many people who work on forestry issues in California, Jim Branham, executive officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, is still trying to wrap his head around the drought’s toll on the region’s forests and the 66 million dead trees reported in the Sierra Nevada last month. “It’s hard to comprehend,” he said, especially considering […]
Tribes, farms wary of proposed cuts in water deliveries from Lake Mead
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Las Vegas Sunby Tony DavisTribes are apprehensive, cities are more upbeat and farmers stand somewhere in between over a proposed plan to cut CAP water deliveries to keep Lake Mead from falling to dangerously low levels. At separate meetings here this week, tribal officials, attorneys and irrigation officials grilled Central Arizona Project officials about the proposal. It would require […]
Warming at Alarming Rate, Lake Tahoe Reflects Rapid Sierra Climate Change
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco)by Craig MillerLake Tahoe is showing some severe impacts from the changing climate. Indicators released Thursday in the annual “State of the Lake” report packed a few surprises, even for scientists. For one thing, the lake has been warming faster than ever recorded. In 2015 the lake’s average temperature rose 0.48 degrees Fahrenheit — and over the last […]