- Author: Carole Hom
Dr. Doom, a.k.a. Professor Jeff Mount, has retired after 33 years at UC Davis and unretired to start a consulting firm.
The local media tagged Mount as "Dr. Doom" because of his predictions about the impending ecological collapse of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Mount pointed out that centuries-old levees built of sand and river mud are likely to fail due to an earthquake, sea level rise, or major storm, with the result that the islands protected by levees will be inundated. The inrush of salt water from San Francisco Bay will increase the incursion of brackish water into the San Joaquin river, alter the ecology and economics of the Delta, and shut down Southern California's supply of water for drinking and irrigation.
Others share Mount's concern. Federal and state agencies, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations agree that the Delta is likely to undergo major transformation in the foreseeable future. However, stakeholders with opposing positions stall efforts to reach a consensus solution.
Enter Dr. Doom. In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, Mount spoke of his desire to transition from a faculty member who gives advice to someone who serves as a practitioner. He has formed a partnership with hydrogeologist Anthony Saracino to offer strategic planning and assessment to organizations seeking effective river and wetland restoration.
Only time will tell if groups in the Delta seek his expertise.
- Author: Alan Rhoades
- Author: Carole Hom
The World Bank yesterday released a report, "Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4C Warmer World Must Be Avoided".
The foreword, penned by the president of the World Bank, opens with, "I hope this report shocks us into action."
Neither the foreward nor the body of the report itself pulls any punches in describing the consequences of a warmer earth for coastal regions, food production, human health, water availability, tropical cyclones, and biodiversity. The authors describe undoing years of work in sustainable development and the severe social disruption that could result.
If you can't spare the time to read the entire 106-page report, at least read the executive summary.
It's dreary reading for Thanksgiving weekend. Read it anyway.
- Author: Derek Nixon
The New York Times ran a feature article today on polluted tapwater in California's Tulare Basin and Salinas Valley based on a study by UC Davis faculty (including several CCWAS trainers) for the California State Water Resources Control Board released in May. The New York Times reports that an estimated 20% of small public water systems in Tulare County are unable to meet acceptable levels of Nitrate in drinking water. Key findings of the UC Davis study include:
- Drinking water supply actions, such as water treatment and finding alternative water supplies, are most cost-effective. However, well supplies will become less available as nitrate pollution continues to spread.
- While many options exist to provide safe drinking water, there is no single or ideal solution for every community affected.
- Agricultural fertilizers and animal manure applied to cropland are the two largest regional sources of nitrate leached to groundwater — representing more than 90 percent of the total.
- Reducing nitrate in the groundwater is possible, with methods such as improved fertilizer management and water treatment. Costs range from modest to quite expensive.
- Directly removing nitrate from large groundwater basins is extremely costly and not technically feasible.
You can read the report's press release here, with a link to the full study.
UC Davis Nitrate Study Summary
- Author: Carole Hom
Nicholas Kristof wrote a provocative column in today's New York Times. In addition to summarizing the scientific discussion about Atlantic storms and climate change (see also Tuesday's CCWAS blog), he suggested,
"There are no easy solutions, but we may need to ... above all, rethink how we can reduce the toll of a changing climate. For example, we may not want to rebuild in some coastal areas that have been hammered by Sandy."
Computer models suggest that California's future climate will include more precipitation falling as rain and less as snow. In the face of increasing demand for water, perhaps the citizens in the Golden State also should look to the future and think seriously about how we might reduce the toll of climate change.
