427 Resources
Impacts of California’s Ongoing Drought: Hydroelectricity Generation
March 17, 2015 | publication
California’s hottest and driest drought in recorded history, from 2012 to 2016, shifted the sources of energy for electricity with adverse economic and environmental consequences. This report focuses on the period of drought from 2011 to 2014.
The Water Footprint of California’s Energy System, 1990–2012
March 11, 2015 | publication
A new article by Julian Fulton and Heather Cooley evaluates the amount of water consumed in meeting California’s energy needs – also referred to as the water footprint of energy.
Guidance for Companies on Respecting the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation
January 16, 2015 | publication
In 2007, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) was created as a strategic policy initiative for businesses committed to aligning their operations and strategies with 10 principles related to human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
California Urban Water Suppliers Water Use Map
January 14, 2015 | publication
This web app from the Pacific Institute shows how different California cities are responding to the ongoing drought. This web feature brings to life newly-released data on residential and system-wide water use, and allows users to explore trends and patterns in that use.
Insights into Proposition 1: The 2014 California Water Bond
October 23, 2014 | publication
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, which was approved by California voters in November 2014.
Corporate Water Disclosure Guidelines: Towards a Common Approach to Report Water Issues
September 29, 2014 | publication
The UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate initiative has released the finalized Corporate Water Disclosure Guidelines – a common approach for companies to effectively and intelligibly disclose the many elements of their corporate water management practice to key stakeholders. The Guidelines are available as a PDF report and web-based tool.
Testimony: Desalination Impacts before the Assembly Select Committee on Coastal Protection
September 25, 2014 | publication
On September 25, 2014, Pacific Institute Water Program Director Heather Cooley testified before the Assembly Select Committee on Coastal Protection. Heather spoke separately on desalination intakes and broader policy issues of desalination facilities.
Metering in California – Need to Know Fact sheet
September 18, 2014 | publication
This fact sheet examines the effectiveness of water metering as a tool to reduce excessive or wasteful water use by both utility companies and customers.
Water Footprint Outcomes and Policy Relevance Change with Scale Considered: Evidence from California
September 10, 2014 | publication
The “water footprint” -- the amount of freshwater used both directly and indirectly throughout the production chain of a good or service -- has emerged as a valuable tool to evaluate the impact of human activity on the world’s water resources.
Hazard’s Toll: The Costs of Inaction at the Salton Sea
September 3, 2014 | publication
California’s Salton Sea threatens to impose massive public health and environmental costs if no action is taken to alter its decline.
Exploring the Business Case for Corporate Action on Sanitation
September 2, 2014 | publication
As society seeks to meet demands for goods and services for a growing population, it is important to improve understanding of the fundamental science of the hydrological cycle, its links with related global processes, and the role it plays in ecological and societal well-being.
The Multiple Benefits of Water Conservation and Efficiency for California Agriculture – Need to Know
July 29, 2014 | publication
California farmers have made progress in updating and modernizing irrigation practices, but great untapped potential remains to use water more efficiently.
Op-Ed: Viewpoints: California Can Expand its Water Supply and Reduce Demand
June 10, 2014 | publication
California has reached “peak water.” We’ve far exceeded the limits of our renewable and sustainable supply. The current severe drought has highlighted these limits and shown us the stark reality of a water system in need of new thinking, new strategies and new answers.
The Untapped Potential of California’s Water Supply: Efficiency, Reuse, and Stormwater – Issue Brief
June 10, 2014 | publication
Increased pressures on California’s water supply, including from population growth and intense periods of drought exacerbated by climate change, are leading to the overuse of surface water and groundwater.
A Sustainable Water Future for California – Fact Sheet
June 4, 2014 | publication
California has a large and growing gap between the amount of water available and the amount that people use.
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