Symbiosis – in which different species have a cooperative or mutually beneficial relationship – is everywhere in nature: honeybees receive vital nutrients from flowers while delivering pollen (male) directly to the female parts of the flower; pilot fish gain protection from predators, while sharks gain freedom from parasites; and dogs protect their owners, while receiving… Keep reading →
It’s inevitable. In comments to nearly every story about California’s drought, someone will rage that if Gov. Jerry Brown really wanted to do something to save water, he’d put an end to fracking in the state. This line of thinking was highlighted on social media recently when the Sierra Club tweeted a link to a… Keep reading →
Atlanta, Texas, California! As drought has moved across the country, Americans have had to look out for their water supply. Empty reservoirs led to restrictions on use. In many places, lawns are being replaced by xeriscaping. In many California cities, strict watering schedules are being enforced. In Texas, California and Florida, many people developed rain… Keep reading →
California is in uncharted territory as their severe drought drags on and water reserves drop to their lowest points ever, with no relief in sight. Jay Famiglietti, a senior water scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory detailed the issues in a recent LA Times Op-Ed. “As our ‘wet’ season draws to a close, it… Keep reading →
U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center Issues Solicitation to Address the Energy-Water Nexus WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a $12.5 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a new technical track under the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) that addresses water-related aspects of energy production and use. The solicitation calls for… Keep reading →
Among the most urgent concerns for the future is to have enough water to sustain a human population projected to reach 9.6 billion people by 2050.[1] The UN Millennium Development Goals recognize that access to water and sanitation is essential to economic development and poverty alleviation.[2] However, global consumption patterns indicate that we are becoming… Keep reading →
As the Texas legislative session begins ramping up, I am reminded of smart policies from sessions past that holistically benefit Texas, had bipartisan support, and brought unlikely allies together. As we head into the session, it’s important to remember that no matter which side of the aisle you are on, clean energy solutions make sense… Keep reading →
On September 12 World Resources Institute had an event to unveil their new report on the fresh water impacts of shale gas development. The WRI report examines the availability of freshwater across shale plays globally. Shale resources of natural gas, natural gas liquids and tight oil are extracted using hydrofracking techniques that require substantial quantities… Keep reading →
The severe drought in California, water-intensive drilling programs needed to increase oil and gas production from shale plays and focus on the energy-water nexus are motivating companies to reduce their water requirements and re-use water needed to hydraulically fracture wells. A new Rice University study conducted detailed analysis into produced water from 3 major US… Keep reading →
NASA Scientist to the World: California has One Year of Water Left
By Sarah MierWhy the drought still doesn’t seem to matter. Do a brief scan of social media, and you’ll be hard-pressed to miss the exclamatory headlines: See dramatic pictures of California’s drought! and Sierra snowpack breaks record lows. Most recently NASA scientist Jay Famiglietti entered the fray with the daring headline for his Los Angeles Times’ op-ed:… Keep reading →