March 2022
Pacific Institute Releases Water Conflict Chronology Update
Three hundred new instances of violence over freshwater resources have been identified in a new assessment by the Pacific Institute. Last week it released a major update and expansion of the Water Conflict Chronology, the most comprehensive, open-source database on water conflicts around the world. The new data highlights recent attacks on water infrastructure in the Middle East and Ukraine, violence over water scarcity intensified by climate change, cross-border violence over shared rivers, and cyberattacks on water utilities.

Learn more here. View the updated Water Conflict Chronology here.

Read the blog post "Water Conflicts Continue to Worsen Worldwide" here.
Save the Date: Briefing on the Untapped Potential of California's Water Supply
Join the Pacific Institute on April 12 for a deep dive into the untapped potential of California's alternative water supplies: urban water efficiency, water reuse, and stormwater capture.
During this hour-long briefing, Pacific Institute experts will reveal results from a new analysis quantifying dramatic opportunities to reduce the gap between water supply and use through innovative, cost-effective, and technologically feasible strategies.

Although the findings are specific to California, they have the potential to inform water decisions across the United States and beyond, as drought-prone communities seek to build water resilience amid the intensifying impacts of climate change. The briefing is designed for and open to decision-makers, elected officials, journalists, NGO leaders, advocates, and all other interested parties. Please share the briefing invitation with others who may be interested.

When: April 12
Language: English
Learn more and register here.
An Eye to Groundwater Resilience on World Water Day
Tomorrow, March 22, is World Water Day, with a special focus this year on groundwater. It’s the invisible resource with a very visible impact. Every day 2.5 billion people rely on groundwater to meet their basic needs. As climate change intensifies, the world’s reliance on groundwater will become even more critical. The Pacific Institute advances innovative water efficiency and reuse opportunities that directly support groundwater resilience.
Update from the CEO Water Mandate: Mark Cassalia Joins Mandate as Senior Business Engagement Manager
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.
The CEO Water Mandate is pleased to announce that Mark Cassalia has joined the CEO Water Mandate Secretariat team as the new Senior Business Engagement Manager. In this role, Mark will be advancing recruitment and leading efforts to engage more deeply with the CEO Water Mandate endorser network. Mark brings extensive experience engaging with public and private stakeholders on water issues to foster meaningful, productive partnerships. He will spearhead new aspects of endorser programming including a first-year plan for new companies. He will also be intimately involved in all aspects of endorser engagement with the CEO Water Mandate Secretariat.
Save the Date: Salton Sea Summit III: New Opportunities and Persistent Challenges
Registration is now available for "Salton Sea Summit III: New Opportunities and Persistent Challenges" at the University of California, Riverside campus in Palm Desert. The multi-disciplinary conference, organized by the Pacific Institute and the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy, will cover:

  • Air quality and human health
  • Imports and long-range planning
  • Lithium extraction
  • Community and economic development
  • Hydrology
  • Ecology
  • Local projects
  • Policy and financing

When: April 5-7
Language: English with Spanish translation
Location: University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Campus in Palm Desert, California
Learn more and register here.


Recent Webinar: Changes in Avian Abundance and Diversity at the Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is one of the most important places for birds in North America and is in danger of losing its ecological value. It is a globally significant Important Bird Area (IBA), and for the past century, has served as a major nesting, wintering, and stopover site for millions of birds of approximately 400 species. At this webinar, presenters discussed changes at the Salton Sea and how they are affecting the Pacific Flyway, as well as management efforts to protect and restore habitat at the lake.

View the webinar here.

View other recent Pacific Institute webinars on YouTube here.
Book: Towards the Blue-Green City: Building Urban Water Resilience
Over the last several years, major cities such as Cape Town, São Paulo, and Barcelona have faced "Day Zero" scenarios with the very real possibility of running out of water. As the world continues to urbanize, there are important lessons to be learned from these water crises: why did they happen, what was the impact, and what was the response? In "Towards the Blue-Green City: Building Urban Water Resilience," Pacific Institute Senior Researcher Dr. Gregg Brill and his co-authors examine the world's modern urban water crises, share lessons learned, and map out a vision for a water-resilient urban future.

Read more here.
Report: The Case for Stormwater Capture and Use
This month, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published "Pure Potential: The Case for Stormwater Capture and Use." The report lays the groundwork for establishing a unified community of practice around stormwater capture and use with an eye to the EPA’s Water Reuse Action Plan. It also includes a framework for coordinated action to address the most important challenges to widespread implementation in urban areas. Dr. Anne Thebo, Senior Researcher at the Pacific Institute, participated in the convening last year that laid the foundation for this report.

Read the report here.
The Pacific Institute is Hiring a Researcher
Join a global team dedicated to creating and advancing solutions to the world's most pressing water challenges. The Pacific Institute is seeking a collaborative and impact-focused researcher to support interdisciplinary research and analysis that advances water and climate change sustainability, resilience, and environmental justice. This position will focus on water-related challenges faced by and solutions for the most marginalized, frontline communities.

Learn more, including how to apply, here.
In Case You Missed It: Recent Webinars and Briefings
Pacific Institute in the News
The New York Times: Climate Change is Making Armed Conflict Worse. Here’s How.

The Economist: In Russia’s War in Ukraine, Both Sides Have Attacked Water Supplies

Circle of Blue: War in Ukraine Lengthens Lists of Violent Acts Over Water

Los Angeles Times: As Drought Deepens, Californians Are Saving Less Water

CalMatters: Californians Used More Water As State Braces for Another Dry Year

LAist: Snow Falling: As Climate Warms, Overhauling California Water Projections Gains Urgency

ABC 7: Seawater Desalination Possibly Expanding in California Amid Worsening Drought

Read more news featuring Pacific Institute research and experts here.
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