Report Preparing California for a Changing Climate By Ellen Hanak, Louise Bedsworth Nov 17, 2008 California has ambitious plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But the state also needs an integrated policy to prepare for―and adapt to―climate change. This report finds that some institutions, such as water agencies and electrical utilities, have already begun planning for change. But other areas have yet to prepare effectively for the challenges of a changing California. More information can be found in the following supporting reports: Climate Change in California: Scenarios for Adaptation Adapting California’s Water Management to Climate Change Adaptation of California’s Electricity Sector to Climate Change California Coastal Management with a Changing Climate Air Quality Planning and California’s Changing Climate Climate Change and California’s Public Health Institutions Conservation and Management of Ecological Systems in a Changing California
Report California’s Water: Water for Cities By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, David Mitchell, Newsha Ajami ... Nov 12, 2018 California’s urban water suppliers are adapting to an increasing population and a growing economy by diversifying supplies and reducing demand. Ongoing challenges described in this brief include managing water quality and developing cost-effective, sustainable local supplies.
blog post Video: Meeting Water Challenges on the Central Coast By Lori Pottinger Aug 31, 2015 The Central Coast has long been self-sufficient in water supply, but the drought has tested the region’s independent streak.
event Stewarding California’s Wet Years Nov 14, 2023 California has made great strides in preparing for a drier, hotter future, but it remains a challenge to harness the bounty of wet years while also reducing flood risk. How did California’s water sector manage the unusually wet conditions of the 2023 water year—and what lessons can we glean for the future? We speak with three panels of experts to find out.
blog post Drought Watch: Rethinking Urban Water Pricing By Ellen Hanak, Caitrin Chappelle Sep 3, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought. Mandatory water use restrictions can be more effective than voluntary ones. Most Californians say they strongly favor mandatory cutbacks. So why aren’t more water agencies enacting them?
blog post From Litigation to Collaboration on the San Joaquin River By Molly Peterson, Sarah Bardeen Jul 18, 2023 The San Joaquin Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, and much of its success comes from the waters of the San Joaquin River. Today, the challenge is how to undo some of the damage done to the river’s ecosystems—and how to reconnect the river to its many communities.
blog post Drought Watch: Trends in Urban Water Use By Caitrin Chappelle, Emma Freeman Aug 20, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought. As water agencies look beyond the current emergency for ways to adapt to future droughts, it is instructive to examine urban use in two relatively normal water years, 2000 and 2010.
blog post Five Things You Need to Know About Water By Ellen Hanak Apr 6, 2015 Five immutable facts about California water guide the work of the PPIC Water Policy Center.
blog post Drought Watch: Regional Solutions By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Caitrin Chappelle Jun 27, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought. Both the legislature and local water agencies have pushed the idea that state bonds should continue to provide dollars for integrated regional water management. But there might be a better way.