Report Managing Drought in a Changing Climate: Four Essential Reforms By Jeffrey Mount, Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Paul Ullrich ... Sep 5, 2018 This report reviews climate pressures that are stressing the state’s water system, and describes reforms to help California prepare for greater extremes and growing water scarcity.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Lunna Lopes Jul 25, 2018 Key findings from the current survey: A majority of likely voters (56%) say the candidates’ environmental positions are very important in determining their vote in the governor’s race (67% of Democrats, 54% of independents, and 33% of Republicans hold this view). Likely voters see drought and water supply as the top environmental issue facing the state, followed by air pollution; a majority (58%) support a water bond on the November ballot. A strong majority of likely voters (69%) say that the effects of global warming have already begun.
Fact Sheet Alternative Water Supplies in California By Henry McCann, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Kurt Schwabe Feb 5, 2018
Report A New Approach to Accounting for Environmental Water: Insights from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta By Greg Gartrell, Jeffrey Mount, Ellen Hanak, Brian Gray Nov 12, 2017 How water is apportioned to California’s cities, farms, and the environment can lead to conflict and competition in times of drought. Allocation of water to the environment in particular is poorly accounted for and poorly understood—shortcomings that can affect water policy, decision making, and public perception. This report reviews the state’s long-standing methods for defining and accounting for environmental water and proposes reforms to improve the timeliness, transparency, and detail in the accounting of environmental water allocation.
Report Managing California’s Freshwater Ecosystems: Lessons from the 2012-16 Drought By Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Caitrin Chappelle, Greg Gartrell ... Nov 12, 2017 The 2012–16 drought caused unprecedented stress to California’s ecosystems and pushed many native species to the brink of extinction. It also tested the laws, policies, and institutions charged with protecting the environment.
Report Improving the Health of California’s Headwater Forests By Van Butsic, Henry McCann, Jodi Axelson, Brian Gray ... Sep 18, 2017 This report looks at regulatory, legal, and management reforms that can help build resilience in the state’s headwater forests and prepare them for a challenging future.
Report Building Drought Resilience in California’s Cities and Suburbs By David Mitchell, Ellen Hanak, Ken Baerenklau, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Jun 12, 2017 California’s urban water suppliers have become increasingly adept at drought management thanks to investments in diverse supplies, cooperative efforts with neighbors, and programs to manage water demand. But in the face of extreme hot and dry conditions, questions arose over preparedness for ongoing drought, and the state took the unprecedented step of ordering mandatory water conservation in 2015. This report looks at evolving state and local roles in managing urban water supply during drought, and lessons to help us better prepare for droughts of the future. This research was supported with funding from California Water Service, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Report Water Stress and a Changing San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Richard Howitt, Peter Moyle ... Mar 1, 2017 The San Joaquin Valley—California’s largest agricultural region and an important contributor to the nation’s food supply—is facing growing water stress and a number of related environmental and public health problems. Large parts of the valley have become dependent on unsustainable pumping of groundwater. Tackling these linked issues with cooperative, coordinated approaches is key to success. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the TomKat Foundation, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus Jul 27, 2016 Some findings of the current survey: Ten years after California enacted AB 32, strong majorities support the law’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goal and favor expanding it. Most Californians say they are willing to pay more for electricity from renewable sources to help reduce global warming. When asked about the most important environmental issue facing the state, more Californians name water supply and drought than any other issue. Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump in the presidential race; in the US Senate matchup, Kamala Harris leads Loretta Sanchez. Crosstabs: All Adults [PDF] Likely Voters [PDF] Time Trends: All Adults [PDF] Likely Voters [PDF] The survey was supported with funding from The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Pisces Foundation, and the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
