Californians are living in the state’s driest period on record. Officials have urged people to conserve as reservoirs run low and demand exceeds a supply stressed by climate change. A large share of the state’s water is used for agriculture, and growers have seen water deliveries slashed during the drought. State regulators track water use […]
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has more than $3 billion ready to fund projects that bolster natural systems which can buffer the impacts of climate change. In California, funded projects could include sand replenishment, wetlands recovery and expansion, or natural projects that fight coastal erosion.
A rare triple-dip La Niña is looking increasingly likely for the Northern Hemisphere. The latest outlook by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, released Thursday, indicates there’s a 62% to 66% chance the current La Niña climate condition will persist through fall and early winter. If that happens, it’ll be the third La Niña winter in a row – a rare […]
California’s historic drought may leave the state with the largest amount of empty farmland in recent memory as farmers face unprecedented cuts to crucial water supplies. The size of fields intended for almonds, rice, wine grapes and other crops left unworked could be around 800,000 acres, double the size of last year and the most in at […]
As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, electric vehicles are becoming more ubiquitous. But despite their environmental benefits, they still have a price. The batteries that power them rely on a limited resource: lithium. But some say California’s so-called “Lithium Valley” could be a vast powerhouse for the next century’s battery needs. A team of […]
The Marin Municipal Water District took a deeper look at some of the more complex and expensive options on the table for new supply: desalination plants and recycled water. The district board and consultants with the Jacobs Engineering firm held discussion Tuesday on the preliminary cost estimates, water yields and challenges of building desalination plants […]
Tracking the California Drought
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Sean Greene and Thomas Suh LauderCalifornians are living in the state’s driest period on record. Officials have urged people to conserve as reservoirs run low and demand exceeds a supply stressed by climate change. A large share of the state’s water is used for agriculture, and growers have seen water deliveries slashed during the drought. State regulators track water use […]
NOAA Will Spend $3 Billion to Fight Climate Change Along the Coast
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KPBSby Erik AndersonThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has more than $3 billion ready to fund projects that bolster natural systems which can buffer the impacts of climate change. In California, funded projects could include sand replenishment, wetlands recovery and expansion, or natural projects that fight coastal erosion.
Why a Triple-Dip La Niña Could Be Bad News for California
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KTLAby Alix MartichouxA rare triple-dip La Niña is looking increasingly likely for the Northern Hemisphere. The latest outlook by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, released Thursday, indicates there’s a 62% to 66% chance the current La Niña climate condition will persist through fall and early winter. If that happens, it’ll be the third La Niña winter in a row – a rare […]
California’s Idle Crop Land May Double as Water Crisis Deepens
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Bloombergby Kim ChipmanCalifornia’s historic drought may leave the state with the largest amount of empty farmland in recent memory as farmers face unprecedented cuts to crucial water supplies. The size of fields intended for almonds, rice, wine grapes and other crops left unworked could be around 800,000 acres, double the size of last year and the most in at […]
Is the Salton Sea Hiding Enough Lithium to Power America?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Big Thinkby Teresa CareyAs the world transitions away from fossil fuels, electric vehicles are becoming more ubiquitous. But despite their environmental benefits, they still have a price. The batteries that power them rely on a limited resource: lithium. But some say California’s so-called “Lithium Valley” could be a vast powerhouse for the next century’s battery needs. A team of […]
Marin Water District Vets Desalination, Recycled Water Cost
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Marin Independent Journalby Will HoustonThe Marin Municipal Water District took a deeper look at some of the more complex and expensive options on the table for new supply: desalination plants and recycled water. The district board and consultants with the Jacobs Engineering firm held discussion Tuesday on the preliminary cost estimates, water yields and challenges of building desalination plants […]