After last year’s drought that saw protests and threats of breaking into federal water management facilities, the implications of the recent Klamath Irrigation District (KID) vote are unclear, but support from irrigators was widespread on March 29, 2022. Out of 377 votes, 319 KID members voted ‘yes’ to the ballot question: “Pursuant to both our […]
Flood, fire, and drought fueled by climate change could take a massive bite out of the U.S. federal budget per year by the end of the century, the White House said in its first ever such assessment on Sunday. The Office of Management and Budget assessment, tasked by President Joe Biden last May, found the […]
California and the rest of the American West are facing the worst drought in over 1,200 years. This drought is devastating the agricultural industry and creating conditions that lead to massive wildfires. According to the IPCC, climate change makes it likely that droughts will only continue to get worse. To maintain an adequate supply of fresh water, the region needs […]
This past week, I joined teams of other scientists gathering the most important measurements of the Sierra Nevada snowpack from over 265 sites throughout the state. Typically, this measurement marks the transition from snow accumulation season to the melt season and contains the most snow of any measurement throughout the year. The 2022 results, however, […]
Devastatingly large wildfires followed by intense precipitation events will grow in frequency as the effects of climate change become more widespread and entrenched, a study published Friday has found. The American West has long been susceptible to landslides and flooding that afflict areas recently scorched by wildfires. The fire destroys vegetation that stabilizes slopes and prevents […]
The holy grail of those involved in California’s decades-long political and legal battle over how the state’s water supply should be allocated has been some sort of master agreement. There have been countless efforts at negotiating such a peace treaty and some premature declarations of success. However, California’s water wars have continued with skirmishes in […]
Klamath Irrigators Vote for Water Deliveries Even if It Puts Federal Drought Funding at Risk
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Jefferson Public Radioby Erik NeumannAfter last year’s drought that saw protests and threats of breaking into federal water management facilities, the implications of the recent Klamath Irrigation District (KID) vote are unclear, but support from irrigators was widespread on March 29, 2022. Out of 377 votes, 319 KID members voted ‘yes’ to the ballot question: “Pursuant to both our […]
Climate Change Could Cost U.S. Budget $2 Trillion a Year by the End of the Century, White House Says
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Reutersby Timothy GardnerFlood, fire, and drought fueled by climate change could take a massive bite out of the U.S. federal budget per year by the end of the century, the White House said in its first ever such assessment on Sunday. The Office of Management and Budget assessment, tasked by President Joe Biden last May, found the […]
Mini Desalination Plants Could Refresh the Parched West
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Popular Scienceby Thor BensonCalifornia and the rest of the American West are facing the worst drought in over 1,200 years. This drought is devastating the agricultural industry and creating conditions that lead to massive wildfires. According to the IPCC, climate change makes it likely that droughts will only continue to get worse. To maintain an adequate supply of fresh water, the region needs […]
Opinion: I’m a Scientist in California. Drought is Worse Than We Thought.
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The New York Times by Dr. Andrew SchwartzThis past week, I joined teams of other scientists gathering the most important measurements of the Sierra Nevada snowpack from over 265 sites throughout the state. Typically, this measurement marks the transition from snow accumulation season to the melt season and contains the most snow of any measurement throughout the year. The 2022 results, however, […]
Climate Change Creating More Devastating Rainfall Events in Wildfire Burn Scars
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Courthouse News Service by Matthew RendaDevastatingly large wildfires followed by intense precipitation events will grow in frequency as the effects of climate change become more widespread and entrenched, a study published Friday has found. The American West has long been susceptible to landslides and flooding that afflict areas recently scorched by wildfires. The fire destroys vegetation that stabilizes slopes and prevents […]
Opinion: California Water War Peace Treaty? Not Quite
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Dan WaltersThe holy grail of those involved in California’s decades-long political and legal battle over how the state’s water supply should be allocated has been some sort of master agreement. There have been countless efforts at negotiating such a peace treaty and some premature declarations of success. However, California’s water wars have continued with skirmishes in […]