Our Work

February 2026 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

Reflecting on 2025 and the Work Ahead to Strengthen Water Resilience 

2025 marked a turning point in how water risk is manifesting across the globe. Our most recent update to the Water Conflict Chronology highlights how violence related to water is on the rise, set against the backdrop of worsening climate impacts and aging water systems.

Pacific Institute’s Cora Snyder Appointed to California Water Plan 2028 Advisory Committee 

The Pacific Institute today announced that Cora Snyder, program manager, has been appointed by the California Department of Water Resources to serve on the California Water Plan 2028 Advisory Committee. This Water Plan is a multi-year effort to modernize statewide water planning and deliver a more action-oriented, measurable blueprint for long-term water resilience. 

From Davos: Scaling Business Leadership on Water Resilience 

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, I had the opportunity to engage with business, NGO, and government leaders through the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) Executive Roundtable at a pivotal moment for global water resilience.

Advancing Corporate Water Stewardship Insights From the California Experience

California is one of the most economically vital, socially vibrant, and ecologically diverse regions in the world, and all this is dependent on water. Yet, the long-term security of its water supplies is at risk.

January 2026 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

The Water Resilience Coalition and the World Economic Forum’s Water Futures Community Join Forces to Accelerate Business Action for Global Water Resilience

Fourth report in national series provides six core attributes, 19 criteria, and over 60 legal strategies for frontline communities and their supporters to shape equitable water laws in a changing climate

December 2025 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

Colorado River Deadlines & Incentives

Way back at the end of the last century, at the annual Colorado River conference in Vegas, Marc Reisner repeated the Margaret Thatcher quote that consensus is the absence of leadership...

A Year-End Conversation with Jason Morrison

3rd Annual California Water Resilience Forum highlights growing momentum and investment across sectors

November 2025 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

New Report Introduces First Legal Blueprint for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation in the U.S.

Fourth report in national series provides six core attributes, 19 criteria, and over 60 legal strategies for frontline communities and their supporters to shape equitable water laws in a changing climate

Actionable Criteria for Achieving Equitable, Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Laws and Policies: Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States Series, Part 4

Launched by the Pacific Institute and the Center for Water Security and Cooperation (CWSC), this fourth report in the Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States series offers the most comprehensive framework to date for assessing whether US laws are supporting or hindering our ability to secure safe, reliable water and sanitation in a changing climate.

Pacific Institute Convenes Leaders to Accelerate Corporate Action on Water Resilience in California

3rd Annual California Water Resilience Forum highlights growing momentum and investment across sectors

Pacific Institute Analysis Finds Surge in Reported Water-Related Violence 

New analysis shows sharp increase in incidents where water is a trigger, weapon, or casualty of violence.   

Air Pollution and Health in the Coachella Valley

This summer, the Pacific Institute, a global nonpartisan think tank, released “Breathing Hazard: Air Pollution in the Salton Sea Region,” describing and assessing complex and growing air quality threats in the valley. The Salton Sea – about 35 miles southeast of Palm Springs – is California’s largest lake and a major stopover for hundreds of species of migratory birds.

Untapped Potential: An Assessment of Municipal and Industrial Water Efficiency Potential in the United States   

A new first-of-its-kind assessment from the Pacific Institute finds that improving water efficiency in U.S. homes, businesses, institutions, and reducing leakage in water distribution systems, can save 14.0 to 34.1 million acre-feet of water per year (12.5 to 30.4 billion gallons per day).

New Pacific Institute Report Finds Huge Potential to Save Water Across the U.S. Through Efficiency 

First-of-its-kind national assessment shows efficiency can cut municipal and industrial water use by 25% to 60%, strengthening the economy and delivering environmental and resilience benefits.

Building Momentum for Corporate Water Stewardship: CEO Water Mandate and Water Resilience Coalition Participation at New York Climate Week and UN General Assembly 80 

As world leaders, companies, and changemakers gathered in New York for Climate Week and the 80th United Nations General Assembly, one message came through loud and clear: Water resilience is at the core of business strategy. 

October 2025 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

Pacific Institute 2024 Impact Report: Reimagining Water for a Changing World

We are at a critical moment in history, and 2024 again proved that the need for the Pacific Institute’s work has never been greater. During 2024, the Pacific Institute launched a new Strategic Plan outlining objectives across four Impact Areas: Water Efficiency and Reuse, Nature-Based Solutions, Water Equity, and Corporate Water Stewardship. In 2024, our impact was broad, as our work influenced policies, practices, investments, and other decisions across the public and private sectors.

California Water Action Collaborative Celebrates 10 Years of Impact 

September 2025 Newsletter

The monthly newsletter features the Pacific Institute’s research, publications, news about past and upcoming Institute staff outreach efforts, and media coverage of its work and analysis.

130+ Strategies for Resilient Rural Water and Sanitation Across the United States

A new report released today by the Pacific Institute, a nonpartisan water think tank, outlines over 130 actionable strategies for rural communities across the United States to strengthen the climate resilience of water and sanitation systems. “Strategies for Resilient Rural Water and Sanitation in the US” showcases tangible actions communities are already implementing.

Strategies for Resilient Rural Water and Sanitation in the United States

Developed in collaboration with the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), rural communities, and rural technical assistance providers, the report outlines over 130 actionable strategies and approaches for rural communities across the United States to strengthen the climate resilience of water and sanitation systems.