Imperial Valley farmers who have senior water rights on the severely depleted Colorado River say emergency water delivery cuts ordered last week by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation do not go far enough to achieve the agency’s goal of conserving water for the river’s future sustainability. The new restrictions aren’t directed at agriculture in the […]
What’s considered officially “dangerous heat” in coming decades will probably hit much of the world at least three times more often as climate change worsens, according to a new study. In much of Earth’s wealthy mid-latitudes, spiking temperatures and humidity that feel like 103 degrees or higher — now an occasional summer shock — statistically […]
Even in the decades before the West plunged into a 22-year drought, the proposals to shift water from wetter states to more arid locations have never been in short supply. There was the submarine pipeline from Alaska to California. Towing Antarctic icebergs to make up for shortfalls in drinking water supplies. A pipeline from Lake […]
On an afternoon in late June, the San Luis Reservoir – a nine-mile lake about an hour southeast of San Jose, California – shimmered in 102-degree heat. A dusty, winding trail led down into flatlands newly created by the shrinking waterline. Seven deer, including a pair of fawns, grazed on tall grasses that, in wetter […]
Major Colorado River cuts must be made, one way or another. The only looming questions are when and on what terms, with negotiators scheduled to resume interstate meetings this week. The Colorado River remains in an unfolding and worsening crisis. Demand far exceeds supply. Long-term drought, worsened by climate change, has meant less water refilling […]
California lawmakers are ratcheting up calls for “urgent action” by the U.S. Justice Department to investigate potential water crimes as the state battles “dire” supply shortages and drought. The bipartisan group told U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland that, along with ongoing concern about possible “drought profiteering” and water theft, worry is building that “fraud and […]
California Farm Bureau Reports Anxiety Grows Over Colorado River Crisis
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /Sierra Sun TimesImperial Valley farmers who have senior water rights on the severely depleted Colorado River say emergency water delivery cuts ordered last week by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation do not go far enough to achieve the agency’s goal of conserving water for the river’s future sustainability. The new restrictions aren’t directed at agriculture in the […]
Dangerous Heat Predicted to Hit 3 Times More Often in Future
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /Los Angeles Timesby Seth BorensteinWhat’s considered officially “dangerous heat” in coming decades will probably hit much of the world at least three times more often as climate change worsens, according to a new study. In much of Earth’s wealthy mid-latitudes, spiking temperatures and humidity that feel like 103 degrees or higher — now an occasional summer shock — statistically […]
Arid West Starts Dreaming About Piping in Water From Afar
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /Greenwireby Jennifer YachninEven in the decades before the West plunged into a 22-year drought, the proposals to shift water from wetter states to more arid locations have never been in short supply. There was the submarine pipeline from Alaska to California. Towing Antarctic icebergs to make up for shortfalls in drinking water supplies. A pipeline from Lake […]
How Climate Change Spurs Megadroughts
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage, Uncategorized /by Gayle Falkenthal /Yale Climate Connectionsby Shannon OsakaOn an afternoon in late June, the San Luis Reservoir – a nine-mile lake about an hour southeast of San Jose, California – shimmered in 102-degree heat. A dusty, winding trail led down into flatlands newly created by the shrinking waterline. Seven deer, including a pair of fawns, grazed on tall grasses that, in wetter […]
We Built a House of Cards:’ Deal or Not, Colorado River States Stare Down Major Cuts
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /The Nevada Independentby Daniel RothbergMajor Colorado River cuts must be made, one way or another. The only looming questions are when and on what terms, with negotiators scheduled to resume interstate meetings this week. The Colorado River remains in an unfolding and worsening crisis. Demand far exceeds supply. Long-term drought, worsened by climate change, has meant less water refilling […]
California Lawmakers Urge Justice Department to Investigate ‘Drought Profiteering’ as Water Prices Soar to Historic Highs
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Gayle Falkenthal /Fortuneby Kim Chipman, Mark Chediak and BloombergCalifornia lawmakers are ratcheting up calls for “urgent action” by the U.S. Justice Department to investigate potential water crimes as the state battles “dire” supply shortages and drought. The bipartisan group told U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland that, along with ongoing concern about possible “drought profiteering” and water theft, worry is building that “fraud and […]