A Call for Bold Action on Climate and Water |
Today the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest climate change report, calling for “ambitious, accelerated action” to adapt to climate change, coupled with “rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.” The report underscores the links between water and climate, adding to a growing chorus of voices calling for action on both water and climate for effective climate change mitigation and adaption.
The Pacific Institute issued the earliest warnings of how climate change would threaten water security, conducting groundbreaking research linking climate change and water systems. That was more than 25 years ago. Today, the need for rapid changes in policies and practices along with new investments in smart, equitable solutions is greater than ever.
Read the IPCC report here.
Read the Pacific Institute “Water Resilience” issue brief here.
|
|
The Water-Energy-Climate Nexus: Reducing Carbon Through Water Efficiency |
Water and energy systems are closely linked. Yet "the end uses of water, and the energy associated with that, are typically left out of assessments around water and energy and what the opportunities are,” explains Heather Cooley, Director of Research at the Pacific Institute.
Recent research from the Pacific Institute in collaboration with Next 10 shows how significantly water management choices today will affect greenhouse gas emissions in California’s future – and the state’s ability to meet 2030 climate goals.
|
|
Update from the CEO Water Mandate: World Wetlands Day Highlights Value and Benefits of Nature-Based Solutions
The Pacific Institute is Co-Secretariat of the CEO Water Mandate, a UN Global Compact initiative that mobilizes business leaders to take action on water, sanitation, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
|
|
California's Salton Sea: Challenges and Opportunities |
Wetlands safeguard coastal communities from disasters, sequester and store carbon, provide ecosystem services worth $47 trillion annually, and are home to 40% of the world's species. Yet wetlands are Earth's most threatened ecosystem. In the last 50 years alone, 35% of the world's wetlands have been lost.
California's Salton Sea is one example of a wetland area that faces a host of challenges: a declining water supply, rising salinity, very high levels of nutrients that generate excessive algal growth, and very low oxygen levels. The threatened lake offers invaluable bird habitat, all the more important since California has lost more than 90% of its pre-development wetlands, leaving the birds with few other places to go. Meanwhile, dust blowing off the exposed lakebed poses a significant health hazard.
The Pacific Institute has played an active role at the Salton Sea for more than 24 years. It continues to work actively with state agencies and local stakeholders to get real habitat constructed on the ground to benefit at-risk species and to diminish the amount of dust blowing off the lakebed.
Learn more about the Salton Sea here. View Salton Sea updates here.
|
|
Conference: Salton Sea Summit 2022: New Opportunities and Persistent Challenges
|
Join the Pacific Institute and the University of California, Riverside for the Salton Sea Summit 2022. Topics include: policy, hydrology, ecology, air quality, public health, lithium and energy, community and economic development, imports and long-range planning, and local projects.
April 5-7, 2022
Language: English with Spanish translation
Location: University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Campus
Learn more and register here.
Community Science at the Salton Sea
At this recent webinar hosted by the Pacific Institute, local community members described the importance and uses of community science and current community science efforts. These include air and water quality monitoring, invertebrate sampling, shoreline mapping, and ways to share and leverage this data into action.
|
|
Harnessing the Power of Nature for Water and Climate Resilience |
Can we harness the power of nature to manage water resources and build resilient communities? Nature-based solutions (NBS), like rain gardens and constructed wetlands, are powerful solutions to build water and climate resilience. Water management techniques that use nature can be a practical solution for businesses too.
"The private sector is increasingly realizing that it has at its fingertips various approaches that rely on nature, not just engineered solutions," says Dr. Gregg Brill, Senior Researcher at the Pacific Institute.
Learn about how to account for the benefits of nature-based solutions here.
|
|
Meet Our Staff: Dr. Hannah Baleta, Senior Researcher
|
Based on a farm in the Western Cape of South Africa where her family manufactures artisanal cheese, Hannah says she is passionate about her work at the Pacific Institute. This work includes "helping businesses mitigate their water and climate-related risks while at the same time creating a positive environmental impact.”
|
|
The Pacific Institute is Hiring a Human Resources Manager |
Join a global team dedicated to creating and advancing solutions to the world's most pressing water challenges. The Pacific Institute is seeking an individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills to manage the systems that support employees and contractors.
Learn more, including how to apply, here.
|
|
In Case You Missed It: Recent Webinars and Briefings
|
View more webinars and briefings on our YouTube page here.
|
|
Pacific Institute in the News |
Tucson Sentinel: California’s Drought Reckoning Could Offer Lessons for the West
What can the American West learn from California's drought? Drought recovery depends on what Californians and the state does now, explains Heather Cooley, Director of Research at the Pacific Institute. This includes upgrading old appliances, removing grass lawns and replacing them with climate-efficient plants, and fixing leaks. Read the article here.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s plan to boost the city’s drought resiliency includes investment in water treatment and recycling facilities. Will it be enough? “If this year is dry — and so far it has been — they may be sorry that they weren’t more proactive..." Says Dr. Peter Gleick, President Emeritus of the Pacific Institute. Read the article here.
Read more news featuring Pacific Institute research and experts here.
|
|
|
|
Help create and advance solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
