The greatest threat to the ocean is climate change, which is raising water temperatures, altering chemistry, and shifting major currents. But simultaneously there are opportunities to make progress in ocean health through changes to U.S. policy, particularly in the areas of energy, aquaculture, protected areas, and natural solutions, as explained…
During this critical and uncertain time for the Colorado River it is worth reflecting on the past 100 years of the Law of the River and considering the lessons learned, says Amy Haas of the Upper Colorado River Commission. Watch the #podcast at https://bit.ly/LawOfTheRiver #water #waterloop
Science has shown the Colorado River Basin's water supply to be profoundly less than was historically estimated. Now with the added impacts of climate change, major decisions lie ahead, says Chris Harris of the Colorado River Board of California. Watch the #podcast at https://bit.ly/LawOfTheRiver #water #waterloop
It's time to renegotiate guidelines for operations of the massive resevoirs of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. But worsening water scarcity in the Colorado River Basin could force the use of drought contingency plans in the meantime, says Amy Haas of the Upper Colorado River Commission. Find the #podcast here:…
1.2 million tons of salt are kept out of the Colorado River each year. Salinity control is an example of successful collaboration among Colorado River Basin states and Mexico, says Chris Harris of the Colorado River Board of California. #podcast at https://bit.ly/LawOfTheRiver
In the Upper Colorado River Basin a pilot program compensated entities like farmers for voluntary water conservation. In total, 64 projects conserved 47,000 acre feet of water, says Amy Haas of the Upper Colorado River Commission. #podcast at https://bit.ly/LawOfTheRiver #water #waterloop
Four dams on the Snake River in Washington State have pushed salmon to the brink of extinction, threatening not just the species but the broader ecosystem, the culture of Native American tribes, and the region’s economy. This crisis led the Snake to be named America’s Most Endangered River in 2021…
The Blood of the West documentary will start in the Colorado River headwaters, where the continental divide is not just a geographic feature, but also a split in water availability and consumption and in how indigenous people and Europeans lived in the area. #podcast at https://bit.ly/BloodWest #water #waterloop
The myth of the West is that it has infinitely exploitable resources, which was built in the 1800s to drive the country's expansion. That mindset helped drive the current strain on its water resources, says J.R. Robinson of Blood of the West. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/BloodWest #water #waterloop
In the Colorado River Basin there are transitions from an economy based on resource extraction economy to one based on outdoor recreation. Differences are visible in land management and the directions of towns like Moab and Green River, says JR Robinson of Blood of the West. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/BloodWest
Is there a carrying capacity for human population in the Southwest? Is there a point when the population simply exceeds the ability of the environment, particularly water resources, to be sustainable, asks J.R. Robinson of Blood of the West. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/BloodWest #water #waterloop
Often in disadvanted communities impacted by water problems the challenge is less about a poverty of dollars and more about a poverty of information. It is vital to educate both the people and agencies, says Alexis Smith of Freshwater Future. #podcast ➡️ http://bit.ly/EquityToledo #waterloop
Through community outreach and education, a group of Toledo residents were recruited to join a water affordability and consumer protection committee that provides a voice for their needs, says Ramon Perez of the Junction Coalition. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/EquityToledo
"Nothing about us without us." Environmental justice means the people of a community have an equal voice in decision-making and a seat at a table that is rebuilt to remove systematic injustice, says Alicia Smith of Freshwater Future. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/EquityToledo
Some people in marginalized communities in Toledo can be economically stuck and struggle to pay water bills, but a water affordability plan is being developed to help, says Ramon Perez of Junction Coalition. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/EquityToledo
For the Colorado River to have a sustainable future, it’s vital to understand its past and present. Blood of the West is an in-development documentary series about the Colorado River that will take viewers on a journey from headwaters to delta and explore the history of the river. In this…
The ecosystem of the Salton Sea is severely damaged from decades of receiving salty water from the Colorado River and polluted runoff from the region's agricultural industry, says Frank Ruiz of Audubon California. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/FrankRuiz
As the water level drops in the Salton Sea it is exposing soil with toxins that blows as dust, causing health problems for people in nearby communities, says Frank Ruiz of Audubon California. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/FrankRuiz
Conservation needs to be done within the context of communities, not with one size fits all programs. And stakeholders should work together in an integrated way that leverages their respective strengths, says Frank Ruiz of Audubon California. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/FrankRuiz
Water challenges allow people from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines to collaborate, says Frank Ruiz of Audubon California. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/FrankRuiz #water #waterloop
Frank Ruiz of Audubon California says young Latinos need to be educated about environmental issues so they can be aware of career opportunities and be ready to deal with challenges in their communities regardless of profession. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/FrankRuiz #water #waterloop
Conservation practices don't offer a quick return on investment for farmers, which puts them in a tough position in a competitive environment where short-term economics is key to staying in business, says Quint Shambaugh of DIGS Associates. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/FarmDrainage #water #waterloop
Farmers can often struggle to implement comprehensive water management practices that also promote conservation because they get a variety of estimates to sort through and have to pick the least costly, says Quint Shambaugh of DIGS Associates. #podcast ➡️ https://bit.ly/FarmDrainage #water #waterloop
The hands-on approach most farmers take to water management allows them to know a lot about drainage, have experience on projects, keep prices lower for construction, and avoid unnecessary regulation, says Quint Shambaugh of DIGS Associates. #podcast here: https://bit.ly/FarmDrainage