In California water news today …
Amid climate change, a question: What’s the future of California rice?
“After absorbing sunshine all summer, mature rice plants in California’s Sacramento Valley stand as high as three feet tall, in five inches of flood water. Planted in spring, farmers drain their fields in August, and they drive big, loud harvesters into them in September, gently separating the rice stalks from the grain, and blowing the harvest into bankout wagons that they tow beside them. On average, each acre produces 8,000 pounds of rice, which is a greater yield than most of the world’s rice growing regions. But this September, 300,000 of California’s 550,000 acres of rice lay barren—over half the state’s rice crop. What does this foretell about one of California’s most important crops? … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly here: Amid climate change, a question: What’s the future of California rice?
Fourth year of drought brings extreme limits to water supply
“As California is preparing for their fourth year of drought, the Bureau of Reclamation warns Central Valley Project water contractors of lessened water allocations.Two months after the start of the new water year on Oct. 1, the Shasta Reservoir, the state’s largest reservoir and cornerstone of the Central Valley Project (CVP), is currently at 31% capacity. With the reservoir being so low, the Bureau of Reclamation is asking its contractors who are receiving water from the CVP for municipal and industrial use to begin planning for “potentially extremely limited water supply conditions” after the start of the new year. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Fourth year of drought brings extreme limits to water supply
California water agencies collaborate on groundwater digital platform to help address dry wells and water supply shortages
“As California continues to respond and adapt to ongoing extreme drought conditions, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) along with state, federal and non-governmental organization partners are advancing development of a tool for groundwater agencies to help with efforts to prevent dry wells and water supply shortages. The innovative Groundwater Accounting Platform is a robust state-supported data tool that will enable groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) across California to track water availability and use. … Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), local agencies have new requirements to better understand, track and account for groundwater use across designated basins. Robust water tracking and accounting systems like this one will serve as the foundation in advancing coordinated and well-informed decision-making as local agencies work to bring groundwater basins into sustainable conditions over the next two decades. This digital tool will help GSAs manage groundwater in their communities for long-term sustainability and address drought impacts, supporting the successful implementation of SGMA. … ” Read more from DWR here: California water agencies collaborate on groundwater digital platform to help address dry wells and water supply shortages
Exciting new partnerships help Groundwater Accounting Platform expand to new regions
“A key first step toward managing groundwater sustainably in California, as required by the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), is tracking how much water is being used and how much is available – otherwise known as water accounting – because you can’t manage what you don’t measure. This is especially true during drought. To help groundwater agencies more easily track and communicate supply and demand, state water agencies, the California Water Data Consortium, and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced a partnership last year to make an open-source Groundwater Accounting Platform (Platform) available to groundwater agencies. In the exciting latest news, three more water agencies have signed on to use the platform and help expand its functionality as the Department of Water Resources has committed more funding and expertise to further develop it. ... ” Read more from EDF’s Growing Returns blog here: Exciting new partnerships help Groundwater Accounting Platform expand to new regions
Clifford Lee: The passing of a respected water warrior
“Clifford (Cliff) Lee, one of California’s most knowledgable and respected water law experts, died suddenly late last month. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the field of California water law and policy. After earning his undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley, Cliff attended law school at U.C. Davis and quickly became entranced by water law. Upon receiving his law degree in 1976 and passing the California Bar, Cliff’s first legal job was serving as a staff attorney with then-California Governor Jerry Brown’s Commission to Review California Water Rights Law. The Commission, ably aided by its staff, developed a series of thoughtful reform proposals that–at least in the 1970’s–wound up being widely ignored by state policymakers. … ” Read the full tribute at the Legal Planet here: Clifford Lee: The passing of a respected water warrior
NOTEBOOK FLASHBACK: CLIFFORD LEE KEYNOTE: Federalism and Water under the Trump Administration: Has the Long Peace Come to an End? At the 2020 California Water Law Symposium, the keynote speaker was Clifford Lee, who recently retired from the California Attorney General’s office where for the past three decades, he has played a lead role in litigation on behalf of the state of California and has been directly involved in most of the cases that have shaped the relationship between federal government and the state of California as it relates to water management issues. In his keynote speech, he discussed some of the history surrounding federal-state relations with respect to California water rights issues and gave his insights for hhow the state could forward. Read it here: CA WATER LAW SYMPOSIUM: Federalism and Water under the Trump Administration: Has the Long Peace Come to an End?
Violent California earthquake damages homes, disrupts power
“A powerful earthquake rocked the Northern California coast early Tuesday, jolting residents awake as it shattered glass, shook homes off foundations, damaged roads and left nearly 60,000 homes and businesses in the rural area without power and many without water. At least 12 people were injured. “It felt like my roof was coming down,” Cassondra Stoner said. “The only thing I could think about was, ‘Get the freaking kids.’” … The magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurred at 2:34 a.m. near Ferndale, a small community about 210 miles (345 kilometers) northwest of San Francisco and close to the Pacific coast. The epicenter was just offshore at a depth of about 10 miles (16 kilometers). Numerous aftershocks followed. … ” Read more from the Associated Press here: Violent California earthquake damages homes, disrupts power
SEE ALSO: No water. No power. Damaged buildings. California towns struggle after 6.4 earthquake, from the LA Times
DWR still accepting applications for turf replacement and drought relief projects
“The Department of Water Resources is accepting applications for approximately $300 million for turf replacement, conservation for urban suppliers and community drought relief projects. The funding is being offered through the 2022 Urban Community Drought Relief Grant. Eligible grant applicants include public agencies, public utilities, special district, mutual water companies, regional water management groups, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations and more. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2023 and awards will be announced from December 2022 through March 2023. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: DWR still accepting applications for turf replacement and drought relief projects
California’s greywater recycling systems owe a debt to rogue Berkeley activists
“As we collectively hope for more winter rains, it’s a perfect time to think about greywater. This is the gently used water from washing machines, bathroom faucets, showers, and bathtubs — but not toilets — that can be captured, filtered and reused. California residents have the option of installing greywater systems in their own homes, thanks in no small part to environmental activists who built an illegal greywater system at Berkeley’s EcoHouse in 2004. “They went ahead and just put one in,” said Martin Bourque, director of the Ecology Center, which operates the EcoHouse. … ” Read more from Berkeleyside here: California’s greywater recycling systems owe a debt to rogue Berkeley activists
Researchers just figured out how to filter indestructible “forever chemical” pollutants
“The term “forever chemicals” is as ominous as it sounds: the nickname for a diverse group of consumer and industrial chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS], these artificial substances lurk in the human bloodstream for decades, and are so unavoidable in modern industrial civilizations that they usually surface in the body in utero. The “forever” appellation is a reference to their resistance to breaking down: PFAS very rarely biodegrade, meaning almost all of the PFAS that have ever been produced still exist. … Yet there is potential good news: as it turns out, even substances with “forever” in their name might not literally last forever. A new study in the scientific publication Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters reveals a possible way to break down PFAS in water by using hydrogen and ultraviolet light. … ” Read more from Salon Magazine here: Researchers just figured out how to filter indestructible “forever chemical” pollutants
Making a salad might be getting more expensive. Could climate change be to blame?
“In his nearly four decades of growing lettuce, spinach, kale and other leafy greens in California and Arizona, Tony Alameda has seen plenty of bad years. But lately, he said, there have been many more “noticeably bad” years in a row. “2022 is probably the worst we’ve seen,” said Alameda, vice president of Topflavor farms, a family operation he runs with his brothers. In October and November, dual outbreaks of a soil-borne disease and an insect-transmitted virus ravaged the Salinas Valley and caused thousands of acres of lettuce crops to wilt. Now, winter growing schedules and changing weather patterns mean the bad luck has migrated from the Central Coast valley that served as the backdrop for John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” and other novels, to the desert farming regions near the U.S.-Mexico border. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Making a salad might be getting more expensive. Could climate change be to blame?
‘Why did they let us burn?’ | An investigation into unkept promises and mismanagement by the US Forest Service
““Well, this was inherited from my mother who inherited from her parents who they inherited from my great-grandparents,” said Lou Lucas. “So, this was my life.” Roots in Grizzly Flats run deep. With just over 1,400 residents, the mountain town is surrounded by thousands of acres of Eldorado National Forest. “Grizzly is a place of serenity,” said Tobe Magidson. But mountain living is not easy. “It’s not for the faint of heart,” said Magidson. “So, we depend on each other.” Locals have a bond that’s grown strong between harsh winters and summers continuing to grow drier and hotter, which is why they’ve always regarded the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council as the pillar of their community. … ” Read more from Channel 10 here: ‘Why did they let us burn?’ | An investigation into unkept promises and mismanagement by the US Forest Service
Living with Death Valley: Climate is making a place of extremes feel a lot more normal.
“The heat pounded everything, baked the creosote and desert holly nearly lifeless. … Like wildebeests trudging off to Masai Mara each year, a distinct breed of tourist makes this summertime Death Valley pilgrimage. They come from Austria, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany—fine and reasonable places whose utter pleasantness leaves a certain itch unscratched. The itch compels them to see what the planet is truly capable of, perhaps to see what they themselves are capable of—and, of course, to gather a few million pixels of proof. My encounter with the temperature tourists was a few years ago, and in the time since, something has begun to shift. That extreme climate, that demented dare: What happens when the rest of the planet starts to feel like that too? … ” Read the full story at Grist here: Living with Death Valley: Climate is making a place of extremes feel a lot more normal.
And lastly … Climate change forces KCBX Public Radio to halt FM broadcasting in Santa Barbara
“KCBX Public Radio in San Luis Obispo announced Monday that after 39 years of delivering its mix of news, entertainment and music to Santa Barbara, the station will halt broadcasting over KSBX at 89.5 FM. Station operators said an alteration in atmospheric conditions caused by climate change has created frequency interference with another radio station. Frank Lanzone, president and general manager of KCBX, said that as a result, the station has no choice but to end the Santa Barbara area broadcast by the end of 2022. … ” Read more from the Lompoc Record here: Climate change forces KCBX Public Radio to halt FM broadcasting in Santa Barbara
Today’s featured article …
DWR EXPLAINER: The Army Corps Delta Conveyance Project EIS and the Delta Conveyance Project EIR: What are the differences?
From the Department of Water Resources:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Delta Conveyance Project for public review. USACE’s Draft EIS assesses the exact same proposed Delta Conveyance Project analyzed in the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), available for public review July 27, 2022 – December 16, 2022.
USACE’s Draft EIS is different from DWR’s Draft EIR as follows …
In regional water news and commentary today …
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Mosquito Fire update: Placer County Water Agency files suit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company
“Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) has filed suit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) in Placer County Superior Court for damages related to the Mosquito Fire, which began on September 6 and burned nearly 77,000 acres across the Tahoe and El Dorado National Forests. California’s largest wildfire of 2022, the Mosquito Fire damaged electricity transmission infrastructure and halted energy production along the Middle Fork American River Project (Middle Fork Project), a dual-purpose water supply and hydroelectric energy project owned and operated by PCWA. According to the suit, the ultimate amount of damages sought by PCWA is undetermined, but the fire caused PCWA to lose tens of millions of dollars in power sales alone. … ” Read more from YubaNet here: Mosquito Fire update: Placer County Water Agency files suit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company
CENTRAL COAST
Water District asks state regulators to compel Cal Am to sign off on Pure Water Monterey expansion.
“If Cal Am won’t voluntarily play ball to expand Pure Water Monterey, a recycled water project that could preclude the need for a local desalination project for decades, perhaps a strongly worded petition to the California Public Utilities Commission might help. On Dec. 16, David Laredo, attorney for the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, sent such a petition to the CPUC, the state commission that regulates private utilities, alleging that Cal Am is acting in bad faith in its request for a rehearing on the rate structure connected to Pure Water Monterey expansion. The petition asks that the commission compel the private water utility to sign an amended water purchase agreement—essentially, a promise that Cal Am will buy the water a PWM expansion would produce—so that construction of the project would begin and add 2,250 acre-feet of water annually to the local portfolio. (Current annual demand on the Peninsula is just under 10,000 acre-feet.) … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: Water District asks state regulators to compel Cal Am to sign off on Pure Water Monterey expansion.
SEE ALSO: Water district asks regulator to force Cal Am to buy water, from the Monterey Herald
San Luis Obispo City’s water treatment plant gets new Tesla battery
“In celebration of National Energy Conservation Day, the City of San Luis Obispo recently highlighted projects that are reducing electrical demands at the city’s water treatment plant and helping the city reach its climate action goals. The city’s water-energy efficiency project and tesla battery project both help to reduce electrical energy used during peak times and increase the water treatment plant’s resiliency to potential disruptions in electricity. Energy-efficient projects like these align with two major city priorities: fiscal sustainability and climate action. “Our community’s water is treated daily at the Stenner Creek Water Treatment Plan, which requires energy-intensive equipment,” said Utilities Department Deputy Director Mychal Boerman. “Because the plant operates 365 days per year, it is one of the city’s largest consumers of electricity. Making this facility more energy efficient is integral to meeting the city’s carbon neutrality goals.” … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News here: San Luis Obispo City’s water treatment plant gets new Tesla battery
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Westlands names chief operating officer to serve as interim general manager
“Westlands Water District named its chief operating officer, Jose Gutierrez to oversee the sprawling district in western Fresno County until it hires a new general manager. Gutierrez will serve as interim general manager until May. The added duties will come with an additional $50,000 to Gutierrez’ $240,000 annual salary, the board announced at its Dec. 20 meeting. The meeting was also the final one for longtime, controversial General Manager Tom Birmingham who took the opportunity to praise district staff and the many board members he has worked with since starting out with the district in 1986. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: Westlands names chief operating officer to serve as interim general manager
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Ballona wetlands: Coastal Commission approves Ballona early permits
“With successive unanimous 8-0 votes, the California Coastal Commission approved two permits on December 15, allowing early work to proceed on the Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project. Opponents of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s project, who are litigating the project Environmental Impact Report (EIR), failed to convince a single Coastal Commissioner to pause the requested permits. The Coastal Commission authorized the local non-profit group, Friends of Ballona Wetlands, to continue their 40-year effort to remove non-native, invasive vegetation from the rare Ballona Dunes, replacing the invaders with native plants supporting endangered species. … ” Read more from the Patch here: Ballona wetlands: Coastal Commission approves Ballona early permits
Scientists, lawmakers meet to discuss to region’s eroding beaches
“Scientists, researchers, planners and lawmakers gathered at UC Irvine on Tuesday, Dec. 20, to discuss ways to address the region’s chronic coastal erosion issues. The meeting, arranged by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach), was a dialogue about some of the challenges decision-makers face in responding to the shrinking coastline, which in recent years has claimed stretches of beach in south Orange County and more recently caused damage to a coastal railroad that is costing millions and months to fix. The discussion was led by a team of scientists from the Samueli School of Engineering who have been monitoring and researching coastal erosion and proposed the creation of a digital platform that could help decision-makers access science-based solutions and engage the public. ... ” Read more from the OC Register here: Scientists, lawmakers meet to discuss to region’s eroding beaches
Banning Ranch officially closes escrow on nearly $100 million deal
“A coastal land deal to preserve 387 acres as natural open space for the public has closed escrow, a nearly $100 million sale that took 30 years to turn into a reality and is a momentous win for environmental activists who fought off plans for development. Finalized Friday, Dec. 16, the sale of Banning Ranch also marks a new chapter for the property in west Newport Beach: It is being renamed the Frank and Joan Randall Preserve, in honor of the Orange County philanthropists who donated $50 million toward the former oil field’s purchase. The gift helped pave the way for other funding and fundraising efforts that made the $97 million purchase possible. “It’s kind of mind boggling to think how many pieces had to fall into just the right place at just the right moment to make this possible,” said Melanie Schlotterbeck, executive director of the Banning Ranch Conservancy. “This is a regional asset and it needed to be protected … if there was ever a David vs. Goliath story, this is one for the coast of Orange County.” … ” Read more from the OC Register here: Banning Ranch officially closes escrow on nearly $100 million deal
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Army Corps study of Salton Sea could yield billions for long-term restoration
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to review both short-term and long-term options for restoring the Salton Sea, which could ultimately net billions for major public works to restore the crashing ecosystem of California’s largest water body. First up, the federal agency will, by March 1 of next year, complete streamlined federal environmental reviews of projects that are part of the state Salton Sea Management Program’s 10-year plan that is supposed to be completed by 2028, including some that are underway. They include nearly 29,000 acres of interconnected pond and wetlands habitat projects, dust suppression and native vegetation projects, and refilling former boat canals in Desert Shores. … ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: Army Corps study of Salton Sea could yield billions for long-term restoration
SAN DIEGO
Audio: Upgrade costs for Carlsbad desalination plant will be passed along to San Diego ratepayers
“Water bills in San Diego are about to go up, and that increase is due in part to planned upgrades at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant. Those upgrades are estimated to cost $274 million. The San Diego County Water Authority approved the upgrades to the plant’s seawater intakes at a board meeting on Thursday. “This action by the board moves the Carlsbad Desalination Plant one step closer to meeting state marine life mandates,” said Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz. “Staff has worked diligently to ensure that the costs are as low as possible while continuing to provide our region with a drought-proof source of water.” Joshua Emerson Smith is senior environment reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune. He joined Midday Edition on Tuesday to explain what’s happening and how ratepayers will be impacted.” Read more from KPBS here: Audio: Upgrade costs for Carlsbad desalination plant will be passed along to San Diego ratepayers
Ramona water district considers waiving fees for granny flats
“Ramona Municipal Water District directors next month will discuss a proposal to waive water and sewer service fees for accessory dwelling units built at the same time as a single-family home. Directors reviewed fees for small accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs or granny flats, at their Dec. 13 meeting. But instead of approving the proposal, they asked staff to research how other water districts manage the fees for those types of buildings. The state’s government code already exempts ADUs from water and sewer fees if they are added to a property with a single-family home. Going forward, the water district will consider exempting ADUs from the fees if they are built simultaneously with a single-family home. ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Ramona water district considers waiving fees for granny flats
Along the Colorado River …
Southern Nevada Water Authority lays out Colorado River plan to protect Lake Mead, Lake Powell
“The Southern Nevada Water Authority has a plan for how the seven states that rely on the Colorado River can protect Lake Mead and Lake Powell. But whether the other six states have any interest in backing that plan remains to be seen. The water authority on Tuesday outlined how it thinks the Colorado River basin states and the federal government can drastically cut back on water use along the dwindling Colorado next year in order to keep water levels at its two major reservoirs from crashing further and threatening putting their ability to deliver water downstream and generate hydropower. The plan, submitted to the Department of Interior, calls for significant alterations to the current drought guidelines for the river’s two main storage reservoirs and cuts across the basin of more than 2 million acre feet in water use starting next year. “While the magnitude of water use reduction is striking, it is necessary, achievable, equitable, and effective,” the water authority wrote in their letter submitted Tuesday. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal here: Southern Nevada Water Authority lays out Colorado River plan to protect Lake Mead, Lake Powell
Commentary: It’s time for the feds to pull rank and enforce already agreed water cuts
Bruce Babbitt, former governor of Arizona and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior, writes, “The speeches at the Colorado River summit in Las Vegas last week ranged all the way from pessimistic to panicked. Ted Cooke, the outgoing director of the Central Arizona Project, summed it up: “(T)here’s a real possibility of an effective dead pool“ at Lake Mead, making it impossible to release water through Hoover Dam for downstream delivery to Arizona and California. Yet, for all the hand ringing, none of the state and federal officials offered a plan or proposal for action to avert catastrophe. Just calls for more meetings and conferences. Meanwhile, there is on the shelf a plan available for immediate action that was not mentioned or discussed in Las Vegas. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Commentary: It’s time for the feds to pull rank and enforce already agreed water cuts
Firm wants to desalt Sonoran seawater, sell it to Arizona cities
“A state water board unanimously agreed Tuesday to start discussions with a giant Israeli company over its proposal to build a $5.5 billion seawater desalination plant on the Sonoran coast and sell desalted water to Arizona users. If such a plant were ultimately approved and built, a final signoff by this board, which is a ways off, would commit the state to providing financial backup toward repaying the construction cost if the plant can’t sell enough water to customers in Arizona and Sonora to cover all those costs. Brushing aside complaints from some citizens that it’s moving too fast, the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority’s governing board voted 9-0 to take the first step toward clearing the way for construction of such a plant, while acknowledging that many issues about its cost and potential environmental impacts need further discussion and negotiation. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star here: Firm wants to desalt Sonoran seawater, sell it to Arizona cities
Transparency concerns surround Arizona desalination deal
“Arizona’s newly appointed board tasked with securing the state’s water voted to move forward with non-binding exploration and possible discussions with Israeli desalination development company IDE technologies on Tuesday. But there were concerns from various stakeholders about the speed and transparency with which the deal had been presented. “There has been an utter lack of transparency. And I’m sorry, but this reeks of backroom deals,” Sen. Lisa Otondo (D-Yuma) told members of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) during public comment. … ” Read more from Channel 15 here: Transparency concerns surround Arizona desalination deal
SEE ALSO: Arizona gets serious about piping water from Mexico in nonbinding desalination resolution, from the Arizona Republic
Draining Lake Powell may eventually be necessary due to drought and design of Glen Canyon
“Calls to drain Lake Powell have been around for decades. One of the first agencies to call for the idea was the Glen Canyon Institute in the 1990s — and it didn’t have much support. “No one gave the idea any credence,” said Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University. “It just wouldn’t have entered anyone’s mind. The reservoirs were full.” But over the ensuing decades, circumstances changed. The population of the American west soared, which led to more demand for water. The population boom happened right alongside a record-setting drought. Those circumstances have led some to believe draining Lake Powell is no longer a fanciful idea. … ” Read more from KUTV here: Draining Lake Powell may eventually be necessary due to drought and design of Glen Canyon
In national water news today …
2022’s U.S. climate disasters: A tale of too much rain – and too little
“The year 2022 will be remembered across the U.S. for its devastating flooding and storms – and also for its extreme heat waves and droughts, including one so severe it briefly shut down traffic on the Mississippi River. During a period of five weeks over the summer, five 1,000-year rainfall events occurred in St. Louis, eastern Kentucky, southern Illinois, California’s Death Valley and Dallas, causing devastating and sometimes deadly flash floods. Severe flooding in Mississippi knocked out Jackson’s troubled water supply for weeks. A historic flood in Montana, brought on by heavy rain and melting snow, forced large areas of Yellowstone National Park to be evacuated. In the fall, hurricanes Ian and Fiona deluged Florida and Puerto Rico with over 2 feet (6.6 meters) of rain in areas and deadly, destructive storm surge. Ian became one of the most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history. And a typhoon pounded 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of the Alaska coast. While too much rainfall threatened some regions, extreme heat and too little precipitation worsened risks elsewhere. … ” Read more from the Nevada Current here: 2022’s U.S. climate disasters: A tale of too much rain – and too little
5 ways climate change made life more expensive in 2022
“Inflation dominated news headlines and American psyches in 2022. Overall, consumer prices jumped an average 7.1 percent this year, with the cost of just about everything going up, from cars to coffee and gas to groceries. The trend triggered a bitter midterm election campaign, prompted a series of aggressive interest-rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, and fears about an impending recession. The causes were numerous, from the war in Ukraine to the post-pandemic economic recovery. But in many sectors, the specter of climate change was also lurking behind these higher costs. … ” Read more from the Grist here: 5 ways climate change made life more expensive in 2022
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
DECEMBER 20 UPDATE: All Curtailments in the Delta Watershed Remain Temporarily Suspended
