At least 2 million Americans don’t have running water or a working toilet at home, a crisis that costs the U.S. economy $8.58 billion each year, according to a report released Tuesday by nonprofit DigDeep. These water access issues disproportionately impact Indigenous tribes, people of color, immigrants, low-income people and those living in rural areas — communities […]
With numerous municipalities and states considering or enacting strict limits on residential grass, you may have considered ditching your home’s turf. Xeriscaping — or designing a landscape that needs little irrigation to survive — is no longer a radical idea, even if you don’t live in an area where lawns are being restricted. Traditional lawn grasses […]
The West saw an aspect of the climate crisis play out this month that scientists have warned of for years. In the middle of a prolonged, water shortage-inducing megadrought, one area, Yellowstone, was overwhelmed in mid-June by drenching rainfall and rapid snowmelt that — instead of replenishing the ground over a matter of weeks or months — created […]
The Colorado River’s precipitous decline pushed Arizona lawmakers to deliver Gov. Doug Ducey’s $1 billion water augmentation fund — and then some — late Friday, their final night in session. Before the votes, the growing urgency for addressing the state’s oncoming water shortage and the long timeline for approving and building new water projects nearly sank […]
The price of water — essential for human life, nature, communities and businesses — is often subsidized, reflecting a commonly held belief that everyone should have abundant access to clean water. But in many locations, those prices don’t reflect the true cost of addressing issues such as water quality or scarcity. That makes it difficult for […]
Droughts are periods characterized by abnormally dry conditions. But what are megadroughts, and how bad is the one currently affecting parts of the United States? While there are no clear definitions of what a megadrought is, in general these events are defined as droughts that last for multiple decades, i.e. two or more, according to […]
Lack of Water Access Costs U.S. $8.6B Each Year
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Leah WillinghamAt least 2 million Americans don’t have running water or a working toilet at home, a crisis that costs the U.S. economy $8.58 billion each year, according to a report released Tuesday by nonprofit DigDeep. These water access issues disproportionately impact Indigenous tribes, people of color, immigrants, low-income people and those living in rural areas — communities […]
Grass Is a Water Hog. Here’s How to Create a Drought-Tolerant Yard.
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Washington Postby Laura DailyWith numerous municipalities and states considering or enacting strict limits on residential grass, you may have considered ditching your home’s turf. Xeriscaping — or designing a landscape that needs little irrigation to survive — is no longer a radical idea, even if you don’t live in an area where lawns are being restricted. Traditional lawn grasses […]
The West Just Experienced an Aspect of the Climate Crisis That Scientists Have Warned of for Years
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Mercury Newsby Rachel Ramirez and Brandon MillerThe West saw an aspect of the climate crisis play out this month that scientists have warned of for years. In the middle of a prolonged, water shortage-inducing megadrought, one area, Yellowstone, was overwhelmed in mid-June by drenching rainfall and rapid snowmelt that — instead of replenishing the ground over a matter of weeks or months — created […]
Pipelines? Desalination? Turf Removal? Arizona Commits $1B to Augment, Conserve Water Supplies
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AZ Centralby Brandon LoomisThe Colorado River’s precipitous decline pushed Arizona lawmakers to deliver Gov. Doug Ducey’s $1 billion water augmentation fund — and then some — late Friday, their final night in session. Before the votes, the growing urgency for addressing the state’s oncoming water shortage and the long timeline for approving and building new water projects nearly sank […]
Will Water Pricing Be the Next Carbon Pricing?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /GreenBizby Jesse KleinThe price of water — essential for human life, nature, communities and businesses — is often subsidized, reflecting a commonly held belief that everyone should have abundant access to clean water. But in many locations, those prices don’t reflect the true cost of addressing issues such as water quality or scarcity. That makes it difficult for […]
U.S. Megadrought is Worst for Over 1,000 Years: How Long Could It Last?
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Newsweekby Aristos GeorgiouDroughts are periods characterized by abnormally dry conditions. But what are megadroughts, and how bad is the one currently affecting parts of the United States? While there are no clear definitions of what a megadrought is, in general these events are defined as droughts that last for multiple decades, i.e. two or more, according to […]