Water

Agriculture

Water fines for farmers will not keep the wells from running dry

When a profoundly important resource like water is no longer abundant, prioritizing where water goes becomes challenging. The California Assembly is considering legislation that would punish people for over-using water during droughts. The bill, however, does not differentiate between water “needs” and water “wants.” Specifically, food producers and municipalities would …

Agriculture

Despite recent rains and record snowpack, California’s drought is far from over

The Department of Water Resources announced an increase in allocations from 5 percent to 30 percent of requested water. For agriculture, the increased allocations mean approximately 10 million acre feet of water for the nearly 10 million acres of irrigated farmland in the state or enough water to cover every …

Agriculture

Klamath Project Could Hurt Generational Farmers and Ranchers

Governor Newsom issued a press release stating, “Today we celebrate a historic victory for the health of the Klamath River and the well-being of all the communities, livelihoods and ecosystems that depend on this vital waterway” while posing in a picture with Oregon Governor Kate Brown, US Secretary of the …

Book

In New Book, Veteran Journalist Shows How to End California’s Water Wars, Protect Habitats and Meet State’s Water Needs

Winning the Water Wars is available for purchase at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and online booksellers. Greenhut writes, “this book does not propose solely building more dams . . . I explain the importance of water pricing and trading, regulatory reforms, desalination, wastewater treatment, upgrading water-conveyance systems and other ideas. …

Agriculture

Hope for WOTUS changes after Supreme Court hearing

Imagine every highway speed limit in the United States changing every few years to a government official’s determination of a “safe” speed. In some ways the interpretation of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule is similar. When the federal administration changes, the interpretation of the WOTUS changes to …

Commentary

Don’t Fall Prey to Five Common Healthcare Myths

  President-elect Barack Obama has promised to make healthcare reform a top priority. But in order to follow through, Obama and lawmakers on Capitol Hill must reject some longstanding misconceptions about health care in this country. Here are five such myths. Each is widely repeated, deeply held – and dead …

Agriculture

How California Agriculture Can Survive Another Year of Drought, State Water Cutbacks

Water management and drought preparedness should be cornerstones of every state in the West. Among the states suffering the most from lack of water is California. Water has shown itself to be a finite resource in many states, particularly those reliant upon surface snowpack sources from mountain ranges in the …

Agriculture

Europe’s Alternative Reality for Reducing Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Popular wisdom is often wrong. Consider, for example, how it views organic agriculture, which has grown to a $48 billion a year industry in the U.S. Organic products are sold at outlets ranging from local farmers’ markets to large supermarket chains, and many people assume that there is something more natural, wholesome, …

Agriculture

Embrace Genetically Engineered Crops to Mitigate Climate Change

By Henry I. Miller and Kathleen Hefferon Popular wisdom is often wrong.  Consider, for example, how it views organic agriculture, which has grown to a $48 billion a year industry in the U.S.  Organic products are sold at outlets ranging from local farmers’ markets to large supermarket chains, and many …

Agriculture

Feckless Feds Freeze Out Frost Fix

“That morning I squeezed every orange and it felt like a wet sponge – I knew I lost the whole crop,” said Natalia Derevianko, a small farmer in the tiny Florida town of Archer, somewhere in the void between Orlando and Tallahassee.   Florida’s peninsular climate offers farmers an opportunity to grow …

Agriculture

Water fines for farmers will not keep the wells from running dry

When a profoundly important resource like water is no longer abundant, prioritizing where water goes becomes challenging. The California Assembly is considering legislation that would punish people for over-using water during droughts. The bill, however, does not differentiate between water “needs” and water “wants.” Specifically, food producers and municipalities would …

Agriculture

Despite recent rains and record snowpack, California’s drought is far from over

The Department of Water Resources announced an increase in allocations from 5 percent to 30 percent of requested water. For agriculture, the increased allocations mean approximately 10 million acre feet of water for the nearly 10 million acres of irrigated farmland in the state or enough water to cover every …

Agriculture

Klamath Project Could Hurt Generational Farmers and Ranchers

Governor Newsom issued a press release stating, “Today we celebrate a historic victory for the health of the Klamath River and the well-being of all the communities, livelihoods and ecosystems that depend on this vital waterway” while posing in a picture with Oregon Governor Kate Brown, US Secretary of the …

Book

In New Book, Veteran Journalist Shows How to End California’s Water Wars, Protect Habitats and Meet State’s Water Needs

Winning the Water Wars is available for purchase at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and online booksellers. Greenhut writes, “this book does not propose solely building more dams . . . I explain the importance of water pricing and trading, regulatory reforms, desalination, wastewater treatment, upgrading water-conveyance systems and other ideas. …

Agriculture

Hope for WOTUS changes after Supreme Court hearing

Imagine every highway speed limit in the United States changing every few years to a government official’s determination of a “safe” speed. In some ways the interpretation of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule is similar. When the federal administration changes, the interpretation of the WOTUS changes to …

Commentary

Don’t Fall Prey to Five Common Healthcare Myths

  President-elect Barack Obama has promised to make healthcare reform a top priority. But in order to follow through, Obama and lawmakers on Capitol Hill must reject some longstanding misconceptions about health care in this country. Here are five such myths. Each is widely repeated, deeply held – and dead …

Agriculture

How California Agriculture Can Survive Another Year of Drought, State Water Cutbacks

Water management and drought preparedness should be cornerstones of every state in the West. Among the states suffering the most from lack of water is California. Water has shown itself to be a finite resource in many states, particularly those reliant upon surface snowpack sources from mountain ranges in the …

Agriculture

Europe’s Alternative Reality for Reducing Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Popular wisdom is often wrong. Consider, for example, how it views organic agriculture, which has grown to a $48 billion a year industry in the U.S. Organic products are sold at outlets ranging from local farmers’ markets to large supermarket chains, and many people assume that there is something more natural, wholesome, …

Agriculture

Embrace Genetically Engineered Crops to Mitigate Climate Change

By Henry I. Miller and Kathleen Hefferon Popular wisdom is often wrong.  Consider, for example, how it views organic agriculture, which has grown to a $48 billion a year industry in the U.S.  Organic products are sold at outlets ranging from local farmers’ markets to large supermarket chains, and many …

Agriculture

Feckless Feds Freeze Out Frost Fix

“That morning I squeezed every orange and it felt like a wet sponge – I knew I lost the whole crop,” said Natalia Derevianko, a small farmer in the tiny Florida town of Archer, somewhere in the void between Orlando and Tallahassee.   Florida’s peninsular climate offers farmers an opportunity to grow …

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