Two years ago, California became one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. The political will to do so took decades. But the bigger battle may be putting the law into practice. Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County may be a perfect example of how hard it’s […]
What a difference a year doesn’t make. For anyone who doubts that we’re still in a drought, San Joaquin County’s groundwater “savings account” was even more depleted this spring than last, despite improved rainfall over the course of the winter. Routine surveys of hundreds of wells across the county revealed water levels had dropped about […]
After El Niño failed to deliver salvation from California’s epic drought, it has now come to this: Statewide, snowpack is down to just 6 percent of normal for this time of year. For all intent and purposes, this vital source of water for tens of millions of Californians, and one of the world’s most productive […]
It’s hard to motivate meaningful responses to abstract environmental problems. That’s why some scientists have thrown their weight behind putting dollar signs on nature. Their hope is that if people better grasp the dividends society reaps from rivers, forests, soil, and the atmosphere, they might support investing in protecting it. Certainly, that’s the philosophy the […]
Deputy Secretary Mike Connor of the U.S. Interior Department heads to California this week to discuss the state’s worsening water crisis. Politico reports that he will meet with state officials and water users as the water challenges continue to get bigger. California water users and their legislative allies were surprised by a couple of proposals that aim […]
The small town of Stratford, Calif., has been ravaged by drought for years. In this short film, director Joris Debeij talks to locals, hearing the personal stories of how they’re affected by the drought. These conversations point to heartbreaking effects of this environmental disaster. A local farmer has to sell his land to earn money […]
First Step in California Groundwater Law Stirs Debate
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio (Sacramento)by Amy QuintonTwo years ago, California became one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. The political will to do so took decades. But the bigger battle may be putting the law into practice. Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County may be a perfect example of how hard it’s […]
Groundwater levels still falling
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby Alex BreitlerWhat a difference a year doesn’t make. For anyone who doubts that we’re still in a drought, San Joaquin County’s groundwater “savings account” was even more depleted this spring than last, despite improved rainfall over the course of the winter. Routine surveys of hundreds of wells across the county revealed water levels had dropped about […]
Going, going, GONE — California’s snowpack has vanished
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Discover Magazineby Tom YulsmanAfter El Niño failed to deliver salvation from California’s epic drought, it has now come to this: Statewide, snowpack is down to just 6 percent of normal for this time of year. For all intent and purposes, this vital source of water for tens of millions of Californians, and one of the world’s most productive […]
California’s Street Trees Are Worth About $1 Billion
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /City Labby Laura BlissIt’s hard to motivate meaningful responses to abstract environmental problems. That’s why some scientists have thrown their weight behind putting dollar signs on nature. Their hope is that if people better grasp the dividends society reaps from rivers, forests, soil, and the atmosphere, they might support investing in protecting it. Certainly, that’s the philosophy the […]
California Water Crisis Could Get Worse
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KMJ (Fresno)Deputy Secretary Mike Connor of the U.S. Interior Department heads to California this week to discuss the state’s worsening water crisis. Politico reports that he will meet with state officials and water users as the water challenges continue to get bigger. California water users and their legislative allies were surprised by a couple of proposals that aim […]
After the Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Slate (New York)by Madeline RaynorThe small town of Stratford, Calif., has been ravaged by drought for years. In this short film, director Joris Debeij talks to locals, hearing the personal stories of how they’re affected by the drought. These conversations point to heartbreaking effects of this environmental disaster. A local farmer has to sell his land to earn money […]