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Fact Sheet

Water and Energy in California

By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Gokce Sencan, Andrew Ayres

Water and energy are closely entwined in California: the energy sector relies heavily on water for electricity generation, and statewide water use consumes a lot of energy. Our new fact sheet illuminates the connections between these two sectors, and explores ways to make both systems more resilient in the face of climate change.

Fact Sheet

Groundwater Recharge in California

By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Gokce Sencan, Ellen Hanak

Groundwater recharge can replenish overdrafted basins, and help California adapt to greater climate extremes.

Report

Water and the California Economy

By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Richard Howitt, Brian Gray ...

California’s economy can grow and prosper despite droughts and water shortages caused by a changing climate—but only if threats to the water system are addressed now. So far, innovative water management has supported the needs of a growing population but serious concerns remain, including water supply reliability and declining groundwater basins.

This research was supported with funding from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.

Policy Brief

Policy Brief: Tracking Where Water Goes in a Changing Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta

By Greg Gartrell, Jeffrey Mount, Ellen Hanak

The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta supplies water to roughly 30 million Californians, over 6 million acres of farmland, and countless ecosystems. But the watershed’s climate is changing: recent decades have seen record warmth, higher evaporation, and declining snowpack. We track where the water is going—and how to adapt.

Statewide Survey

PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment

By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas

Key findings include: Three in ten Californians name water supply and drought as the state’s top environmental issue; nearly seven in ten say the water supply is a big problem in their part of the state. More than half of Californians say higher gas prices have caused financial hardship, and more than four in ten are upset about the current rate of inflation. Most Californians oppose offshore drilling, and an overwhelming majority want to prioritize alternative energy over oil, coal, and natural gas. But views are divided along party lines. Democrats are much more likely than independents and Republicans to support key state climate change policies.

Report

California’s Water: Water for the Environment

By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ...

River and wetland ecosystems in California—and the many birds, fish, and other species they support—are in serious decline. Major investments and novel approaches are needed to improve the health of our natural environment. This brief explains how water is used for environmental purposes and describes priority approaches that could improve its management.

Fact Sheet

Water Use in California’s Agriculture

By Caitlin Peterson, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Josué Medellín-Azuara, Spencer Cole

California is an agricultural powerhouse that relies heavily on irrigation. Discover how much water the sector uses and how groundwater laws and climate change are bringing change.

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