This year, the tragic die-off of large volumes of coral at the treasured Great Barrier Reef has provided a climate change shock like few others. The cause was too much warm water — which seems to have pushed the corals past a thermal survival threshold. And that warm water, in turn, is tied to climate change. Now, however, […]
In the last couple of weeks, the California media have been heralding the discovery of “new water” in deep aquifers as a possible solution to the state’s ongoing drought and water shortages. Unfortunately, the updated estimate of available groundwater reported by Stanford University researchers isn’t that new—scientists have long known that there are many deep aquifers throughout […]
It’s always difficult to imagine how something thousands of miles away will have anything to do with you directly, but we need to do just that with the Arctic because big changes are happening now and big changes are coming. Let’s get caught up with Arctic Sea Ice, if you’re not familiar. At the top […]
The unpredictable water picture continues to worry farmers across the Pacific Northwest and California as they head into the heart of irrigation season. Water managers anxiously watch river and reservoir leve Yet overall the consensus that emerges seems to be: So far, so good. “I’m very pleased with where we are compared to a year […]
The plan to improve the Delta’s natural environment and the efficiency of the state and federal water projects has been put on hold by a tentative ruling from a Sacramento Superior Court Judge. On June 24, Judge Michael Kenny ruled on clarification motions concerning a consolidated suit aimed at halting the Delta Plan. In his […]
These past few years have shown us just how bad California’s water situation can be when the rain doesn’t fall in the Valley and the snow doesn’t accumulate in the mountains. A lack of precipitation in the Central Valley means reduced water allocations for farmers and a greater demand on groundwater supplies. The fallout is […]
Super-warm seas wiped out an entire underwater forest, scientists report
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Washington Postby Chris MooneyThis year, the tragic die-off of large volumes of coral at the treasured Great Barrier Reef has provided a climate change shock like few others. The cause was too much warm water — which seems to have pushed the corals past a thermal survival threshold. And that warm water, in turn, is tied to climate change. Now, however, […]
BLOG: Leave California’s ‘New’ Water in the Ground
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Union of Concerned Scientistsby Juliet Christian-SmithIn the last couple of weeks, the California media have been heralding the discovery of “new water” in deep aquifers as a possible solution to the state’s ongoing drought and water shortages. Unfortunately, the updated estimate of available groundwater reported by Stanford University researchers isn’t that new—scientists have long known that there are many deep aquifers throughout […]
Arctic ice is getting hammered this year and that could affect weather patterns here in the future
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /ABC10by Rob CarlmarkIt’s always difficult to imagine how something thousands of miles away will have anything to do with you directly, but we need to do just that with the Arctic because big changes are happening now and big changes are coming. Let’s get caught up with Arctic Sea Ice, if you’re not familiar. At the top […]
Irrigators hope water supplies last through season
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Press (Salem, Ore.)The unpredictable water picture continues to worry farmers across the Pacific Northwest and California as they head into the heart of irrigation season. Water managers anxiously watch river and reservoir leve Yet overall the consensus that emerges seems to be: So far, so good. “I’m very pleased with where we are compared to a year […]
Tentative Ruling Sets Back Delta Plan
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Independent News (Livermore)The plan to improve the Delta’s natural environment and the efficiency of the state and federal water projects has been put on hold by a tentative ruling from a Sacramento Superior Court Judge. On June 24, Judge Michael Kenny ruled on clarification motions concerning a consolidated suit aimed at halting the Delta Plan. In his […]
OPINION: It will take new reservoirs to meet state’s growing water needs
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Modesto Beeby Jerry O’Banion and John PedrozoThese past few years have shown us just how bad California’s water situation can be when the rain doesn’t fall in the Valley and the snow doesn’t accumulate in the mountains. A lack of precipitation in the Central Valley means reduced water allocations for farmers and a greater demand on groundwater supplies. The fallout is […]