🌧️At 11am PST we'll be looking at the ramifications for California of what is the worst #drought to hit the western US in over a millennium. Follow via FB Live fb.me/e/1MyzANlHL and @EthnicMediaSvc
Learn more 👉bit.ly/3OqYDrL
Learn more 👉bit.ly/3OqYDrL
Welcome to today's briefing, "Not a Drop to Drink: California Faces Worst #Drought in 1,200 Years." You can follow the conversation via FB Live fb.me/e/1MyzANlHL #EarthDay
Our first speaker today is @rajendrashende, Chairman, @terreindia and former director of the United Nations Environment Program, who will be speaking about the global impacts of the #drought
"4 billion people are experiencing severe water scarcity" says @rajendrashende. "For at least 1 month each year." Half of the world could face water scarcity as early as 4-5 years from now.
There are dozens of UN agencies that deal with water directly or indirectly. And the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6 is related to clean water and sanitation, and SDG 14 focuses on life below water.
The Middle East and N. Africa are the most water stressed regions on Earth. At the same time, there are other regions - like India, parts of China and Europe - that are also undergoing water stress.
Though countries may not be water stressed, specific regions might be, and this scenario "will increase as we go along," says @rajendrashende
The #IPCCReport also looked at #climatechange and water scenarios. "We are in a gloomy situation... though there are some untapped rays of hope."
In the Middle East, Oman is recycling about 78% of its water. California's own reuse of water is about 10-15%
In Dubai, 84% of waste water is collected and 17% is reused.
Our next speaker is Heather Cooley, Director of Research with the @PacificInstitut. "Ca is in the 3rd years of a severe drought, and our snowpack is much lower than is typical and is melting very quickly."
Currently 95% of CA is experiencing drought, and this is not limited just to CA.
A new study shows that the past two decades have been the driest in over 1000 years and that this has been driven in large measure by human caused #climatechange.
Our water systems and planning, unfortunately, do not account for this yet, says Cooley, though CA has made progress in reducing water use.
We are also recycling about 25% of the wastewater we generate.
A new study from the @PacificInstitut shows we can reduce urban water use in Ca by as much as 48% with adoption of new policies and technologies.
Our next speakers are James Nachbaur and Karina Herrera with the California State Water Resources Control Board.
What is the #Conservation as a California Way of Life framework? "There is a pattern in the state that legislation follows major droughts," says Herrera. SB 606 and AB 1668 directed farmers and agencies to make conservation a way of life.
Ca is now taking two approaches, immediate and long term.
Making conservation a way of life is one of the cheapest ways to bolster water supplies, Herrera adds, noting #equity has to be kept at the fore.
More can be done to drive water conservation more significantly and equitably.
Our next speaker is Sean de Guzman with the CA Dpt of Water Resources.
Over the last 70+ years, 5 of the smallest snowpacks have happened in the last 15 years, with 2022 coming in as the 5th smallest
We are at around 35% of average as of today, says de Guzman. Lake Shasta is the state's biggest reservoir and is only about 39% full.
We have a pretty big hole to fill with our reservoirs, says Sean de Guzman.
With #climatechange we're going to see more rain in places we expect snow, more flooding and impacts to flood control operations.
Our final presenter is Dr. Josue Medellin-Azuara, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, University of California Merced, who will be speaking on the drought's $1b hit to the state's ag industry.
We are in a whiplash weather in CA, where we have dry periods followed by wet years. We can see from the last half of the last century, we've been having about half of the years wet, and half of the years dry, with increasing temps.
The areas that traditionally receive more water in past years and that provide water to major urban areas were dry this year compared to previous drought.
The current drought has cost $1.1b in revenue losses, and 45,000 jobs in the state. Many of these jobs belong to the lowest income groups in the state.
Droughts are not going away. We will see more of this in the future, says Dr. Josue Medellin-Azuara
Water shortages will cause mass migration, which will put more demand on local water resources. What is being done to address this, asks Henrietta Burroughs of @epatoday. "Not enough," says Heather Cooley.
"There is a lot that needs to be done in terms of education around these issues. And in terms of solutions, one of these is helping regions around the world to be more resilient to #drought."
What about the impact of the drought on large cities like Los Angeles, asks @AraceliMartinez. "Larger cities have tended to do fairly well," says Heather Cooley. "The biggest issues are in our rural areas and small communities."
"As a state, we need to do far more for these communities," adds Heather Cooley.
How is India addressing it's own water crisis, especially in agriculture? One innovation is at the gov't level, says @rajendrashende. Natural bodies of water, as well as rain is being harnessed.
But India is also looking at technology, looking at each drop that goes to agriculture, and to adjust the drops based on soil data. "This is water smart agriculture."
PM Modi says water is a disruptive issue and hence requires disruptive solutions, notes @rajendrashende. "Complacency" may drive CA to the brink, he warns.
"When water starts to pinch your stomach, you will start conserving," says @rajendrashende
Water conservation and efficiency matters at all times, and as individuals we can start by getting to know how much we are using and where we can save, says Karina Herrera.
"Media can follow the data, follow the science. #Climatechange is here," says Sean deGuzman. "We need to tackle this head on... now."
"We cannot make more water," that is the key message, says Dr. Josue Medellin-Azuara. "Opening the faucet and getting clean water in your homes is a miracle. Be mindful of using this resource."
You can follow updates on the #drought from the State Water Board here waterboards.ca.gov/drought/
The media's role is hugely important, and while focusing on the problems, highlighting solutions is also critical, says Heather Cooley.
Thanks to speakers and media for joining today's briefing. You can find coverage of this and previous briefings at ethnicmediaservices.org. And happy #EarthDay!
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