Report Priorities for California’s Water By Jeffrey Mount, Letitia Grenier, Ellen Hanak, Caitlin Peterson ... Nov 1, 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 2023 water year—and what lessons can we glean for the future?
blog post Reducing Drought Risks in Rural Communities By Alvar Escriva-Bou Jan 10, 2019 California’s rural communities are disproportionately exposed to drinking water shortages during drought. Improved planning efforts can help.
blog post 3 Things to Know about California Droughts By Alvar Escriva-Bou Apr 10, 2018 Defining when a drought begins or ends isn’t simple. Here are three things about droughts that every Californian should know.
Report California’s Water: Climate Change and Water By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Robert Wilkinson ... Nov 12, 2018 California’s climate is warming and becoming more variable. While the state is a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, its water system was designed for a 20th century climate. All facets of water management must be updated to adapt to changing conditions. This brief summarizes strategies to help the state prepare for a changing climate and rising sea level.
blog post How “Weather Whiplash” Could Change California By Lori Pottinger May 1, 2018 Climate change is pushing California’s volatile weather to new extremes. Climate scientist Daniel Swain explains what to expect.
event From Droughts to Floods: Water in Silicon Valley Apr 24, 2015 About the ProgramCalifornia’s increasingly variable climate requires innovative solutions to manage severe droughts and growing flood risks. The California Water Service (Cal Water), the Public Policy Institute of California, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group invite you to an event that explores how Silicon Valley is coping with the current drought and how this hub of innovation can contribute to water solutions. The event features a presentation by Ellen Hanak, director of PPIC’s Water Policy Center, a conversation with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, and a panel of local leaders who will discuss key water issues facing the region. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
blog post Video: Preparing California’s Water System for Climate Extremes By Lori Pottinger Nov 7, 2019 Climate change brings multiple pressures to the state’s water management. Panels of experts discussed ways to prepare for greater climate volatility.
Report Improving California’s Water Market By Andrew Ayres, Ellen Hanak, Brian Gray, Gokce Sencan ... Sep 14, 2021 Water trading and banking will prove important tools to help California bring its groundwater basins into balance under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). A broad range of policy changes could help improve and expand California’s water market while protecting communities from harm.
Report Climate-Smart Tools to Protect California’s Freshwater Biodiversity By Ted Sommer, Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Letitia Grenier ... May 24, 2024 Half of California’s native freshwater species are highly vulnerable to extinction within this century. Our new report describes the urgent action needed to save them.
