Several types of drought are converging, and all are at or near record levels.
Climate change
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The Gila River Indian Community innovates for a drought-ridden future
Through partnerships and exchanges, the community is ensuring that its members have long-term access to their own resources while helping solve broader water supply problems.
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Is California’s carbon offset program actually helping the environment?
How a nonprofit cashed in on carbon credit exchanges without reducing emissions.
Posted inJune 1, 2021: Once and Future Fires
How ‘sustainable’ is California’s groundwater sustainability act?
Numerous issues around equity and the plan’s rollout loom.
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The toxic, soupy biomass choking water systems in California
Algae blooms in Clear Lake are a public health risk and increase water treatment costs.
Posted inMay 1, 2021: Beauty and Biodiversity in the Borderlands
See the first-ever survey of the Atascosa Highlands
An ecologist and a photographer teamed to document and build a living archive of the Borderlands’ biodiversity — before it’s too late.
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On the Klamath River, agricultural interests are pitted against the needs of tribes and endangered species
Due to severe drought, irrigation allotments were decreased to lowest amounts in history.
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California orders Nestlé to stop siphoning spring water
The world’s largest food and beverage company is accused of taking millions more gallons than it is entitled to.
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There are no clear winners in the West’s water wars
As climate stressors raise the stakes, states put energy into litigation before conservation.
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Haaland kicks off tenure focusing on climate and environmental injustice
The new Interior secretary issued orders to create a Climate Task Force at the agency and to prioritize the social costs of greenhouse gases.
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Tribal nations adapt to being at ‘ground zero’ of the climate crisis
‘Tribes are on the front line of fixing things, using our resources, setting good public policy [and using] good science.’
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What the narwhal can tell us about the climate crisis
An analysis of the species’ 10-foot-long tusk shows an accumulation of mercury and a change in diet as sea ice retreats.
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Study finds wildfire caused massive bird die-off
Research using crowdsourced data found a correlation with the birds’ deaths, nearby fires and toxic air.
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Threatened species and how we might save them
Michelle Nijhuis details history’s successes as a road map for today’s conservationists in her new book ‘Beloved Beasts.’
Posted inMay 1, 2021: Beauty and Biodiversity in the Borderlands
Has Eugene, Oregon, found a ‘superpower’ for climate action?
The city’s eyeing changes to its natural gas contract to fund climate ambitions.
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Can cloud seeding help the West’s drought?
States consider weather modification to make it rain.
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Study looks at covering California’s canals with solar panels
Covering waterways would save water and provide electricity, among other benefits.
Posted inMay 1, 2021: Beauty and Biodiversity in the Borderlands
Geographer Diana Liverman explains how to tackle the climate crisis fairly
The first step? Don’t panic.
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Megadrought: New Mexico farms face uncertain future
‘If they have an option to not farm, they should consider that option.’
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Butterflies in the West are disappearing
The climate crisis has caused a steep decline in butterfly sightings in the Rocky Mountain range.