The United Nations will be discussing recommendations from a new report about climate change-related loss and damage, including a case study of how the San Joaquin Valley is coping with drought, during the second UN Environment Assembly (UNEA2), May 23-27 in Nairobi, Kenya. The policy recommendations developed by Dr. Gil Harootunian, Fresno State director of […]
State water regulators are proposing to dismiss a record $1.5-million fine they intended to levy against a Northern California irrigation district accused of ignoring drought-related cuts in water diversions. The State Water Resources Control Board slapped the fine on the Byron Bethany Irrigation District last summer for continuing to divert supplies after the board ordered […]
Clouds need to condense around small particles called aerosols to form, and human aerosol pollution—primarily in the form of sulfuric acid—has made for cloudier skies. That’s why scientists have generally assumed Earth’s ancient skies were much sunnier than they are now. But today, three new studies show how naturally emitted gases from trees can also […]
Humboldt County’s winter and early spring rainfall could intensify the spread of the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death (SOD) but the outcome won’t be known for another year or two. And while new areas of SOD infection weren’t identified in aerial surveys last year, the pathogen continues to spread in existing areas and it’s […]
Each day in California an estimated 1.5 billion gallons (5.7 billion liters) of treated water are dumped into the ocean – that’s more than the amount of water needed to fill 2,270 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It’s the water that’s collected from the sinks, bathrooms and laundries in your home and delivered to municipal wastewater treatment […]
State officials recently eased the reins on local water agencies when it comes to the drought mandate. While the State Water Resources Control Board has decided to allow agencies like the Coachella Valley Water District – the desert’s largest – to decide for themselves how to conserve, it is imperative that regulators maintain a watchful […]
UN to Discuss FSU Co-Authored Case Study of Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Porterville RecorderThe United Nations will be discussing recommendations from a new report about climate change-related loss and damage, including a case study of how the San Joaquin Valley is coping with drought, during the second UN Environment Assembly (UNEA2), May 23-27 in Nairobi, Kenya. The policy recommendations developed by Dr. Gil Harootunian, Fresno State director of […]
Water Board Moves to Dismiss Record Fine Against Irrigation District
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Times by Bettina BoxallState water regulators are proposing to dismiss a record $1.5-million fine they intended to levy against a Northern California irrigation district accused of ignoring drought-related cuts in water diversions. The State Water Resources Control Board slapped the fine on the Byron Bethany Irrigation District last summer for continuing to divert supplies after the board ordered […]
Earth’s climate may not warm as quickly as expected, suggest new cloud studies
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Science Magazineby Tim WoganClouds need to condense around small particles called aerosols to form, and human aerosol pollution—primarily in the form of sulfuric acid—has made for cloudier skies. That’s why scientists have generally assumed Earth’s ancient skies were much sunnier than they are now. But today, three new studies show how naturally emitted gases from trees can also […]
El Nino Rains Could Boost Sudden Oak Death
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Anderson Valley Advertiserby Daniel MintzHumboldt County’s winter and early spring rainfall could intensify the spread of the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death (SOD) but the outcome won’t be known for another year or two. And while new areas of SOD infection weren’t identified in aerial surveys last year, the pathogen continues to spread in existing areas and it’s […]
Recycled Water Key to California’s Water Security
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Kirsten JamesEach day in California an estimated 1.5 billion gallons (5.7 billion liters) of treated water are dumped into the ocean – that’s more than the amount of water needed to fill 2,270 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It’s the water that’s collected from the sinks, bathrooms and laundries in your home and delivered to municipal wastewater treatment […]
OPINION: State must remain watchful after easing drought rules
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Desert SunState officials recently eased the reins on local water agencies when it comes to the drought mandate. While the State Water Resources Control Board has decided to allow agencies like the Coachella Valley Water District – the desert’s largest – to decide for themselves how to conserve, it is imperative that regulators maintain a watchful […]