blog post Crisis Communication Suffers During Natural Disasters By Jeffrey Mount Jan 12, 2023 Walloped by a series of atmospheric rivers, California is grappling with an unfolding natural disaster. In any disaster, communication is key—but this past weekend, our senior fellow Jeff Mount gained firsthand experience of some of the challenges facing our fractured communication systems.
blog post The Promise of a Wet January By Jeffrey Mount Jan 5, 2023 California is in an impressive—and much-needed—wet period. But the current parade of atmospheric rivers also highlights how difficult it is to capture and store water during times of great abundance. Can we do better?
blog post California’s 2022 Fire Season: “A Remarkably Different Year” By Sarah Bardeen Dec 12, 2022 This year’s fire season was relatively quiet—a welcome change of pace for fire-weary Californians. But what does it mean in the larger scheme of things? We asked UC Berkeley professor Scott Stephens for insights.
blog post California’s Water and Energy Systems Are Inextricably Linked By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Gokce Sencan, Andrew Ayres Dec 6, 2022 Water and energy are intimately connected in California: the water system is a major energy user, and our energy sector relies heavily on water for power generation. Population growth and climate change will likely increase pressure on both systems, but a few key actions could make them more resilient.
Fact Sheet Water and Energy in California By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Gokce Sencan, Andrew Ayres Dec 5, 2022 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.
blog post The Troubled History—and Uncertain Future—of the Salton Sea By Sarah Bardeen Nov 22, 2022 Southern California’s hundred-year-old Salton Sea is drying up, and that’s creating a host of problems, as both wildlife and air quality in the region suffer. We sat down with an expert—UC Riverside professor and PPIC Water Policy Center adjunct fellow Kurt Schwabe—to discuss the issues facing the sea and explore potential solutions.
blog post Video: Solar Development in the San Joaquin Valley By Sarah Bardeen Nov 9, 2022 Last week, we gathered a panel of experts to debate the potential benefits and challenges of solar development in the San Joaquin Valley. Watch the event video to learn more about our new research—and to see a lively discussion about how solar might deliver lasting benefits to the region and the state.
event Solar Development in the San Joaquin Valley Nov 1, 2022 To balance the San Joaquin Valley’s groundwater basins, hundreds of thousands of acres of irrigated farmland may come out of production in the coming decades. Utility-scale solar development—already an attractive option for landowners—could help keep these lands economically productive, but it faces some obstacles. Can solar overcome these challenges and help support the region as a whole? Join us for an expert panel discussion.
Report Solar Energy and Groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley By Andrew Ayres, Annabelle Rosser, Ellen Hanak, Alvar Escriva-Bou ... Oct 25, 2022 Hundreds of thousands of acres of irrigated farmland may come out of production in the San Joaquin Valley in coming decades. At the same time, the state needs to ramp up renewable energy generation to meet climate goals. Could solar development on fallowed land help the valley’s residents? Our new report examines the challenges and opportunities.
blog post Beavers: The Unlikely Climate Hero By Sarah Bardeen Oct 24, 2022 Beavers were once ubiquitous in North America, but trapping and habitat loss decimated their population: there are just 10-15 million beavers in North America today. We asked a beaver restoration expert to tell us more about this unlikely climate hero and its role in restoring streams and meadows.
