California’s forests are in rapid retreat, which bodes ill for the future. Using satellite data, researchers from the University of California, Irvine found that trees in the state’s mountainous regions declined 6.7 percent between 1985 and 2021 thanks to wildfires, drought and other climate-related sources of stress.
‘’We think Utah will now be in control of its destiny.’’ That’s what Utah Gov. Norm Bangerter said in 1987, as he turned on the first of three pumps designed to drain the Great Salt Lake and save the Wasatch Front from flooding. I’m not being overly critical of the late governor, who I covered as a reporter and […]
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 […]
These Maps Show How Alarmingly Fast California is Losing Trees as Climate Warms
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Jessica FloresCalifornia’s forests are in rapid retreat, which bodes ill for the future. Using satellite data, researchers from the University of California, Irvine found that trees in the state’s mountainous regions declined 6.7 percent between 1985 and 2021 thanks to wildfires, drought and other climate-related sources of stress.
Opinion: Pipe Ocean Water to the Great Salt Lake? Tread Carefully with Big Ideas
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Deseret Newsby Jay Evensen‘’We think Utah will now be in control of its destiny.’’ That’s what Utah Gov. Norm Bangerter said in 1987, as he turned on the first of three pumps designed to drain the Great Salt Lake and save the Wasatch Front from flooding. I’m not being overly critical of the late governor, who I covered as a reporter and […]
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 […]