A first-of-its-kind study found that “carbon major” companies drained the west of trillions of gallons of water.
A first-of-its-kind study published on Aug. 25 revealed that 122 companies, dubbed “carbon majors,” are disproportionately responsible for the American West’s water crisis.
The authors found that from 2014 to 2024, climate change sapped over a third of the West’s typical annual snowpack and decreased streamflows by about 13%. About half of those losses stem directly from 122 fossil fuel companies and cement producers, Jake Bolster writes for Inside Climate News.
“Carbon-major pollution has drained the West of trillions of gallons of water, about the full capacity of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S.,” writes Bolster.
Read the full story: The Biggest Carbon Polluters Are to Blame for Half of U.S. Western Water Lost to Climate Change, ‘Groundbreaking’ Paper Says
This Is What Really, Really Cheap Water Is Actually Costing Utah
The state's widespread practice of supplying unlimited untreated water to homes may be part of the reason it has to spend billions on a new pipeline and dam.
Instead of water, sediment from droughts and wildfire is choking U.S. dams
Sediment has filled 8% of dam storage capacity in the United States. Because of climate change, researchers expect it will only accumulate quicker.
New Yorkers Face New Climate Risks
A two-acre fire in a city park prompted city officials to ban grilling while urging residents to conserve water to limit the impact of a historic drought.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
After $600,000 wasted, CA high-speed rail board limits CEO’s power
Ian Choudri will no longer be able to sign, change or manage contracts.
Lithium mines leech water from surrounding communities. Soon, they’ll run dry
Researchers concluded that most lithium mines won't have enough water to meet industry demands by 2050.
El Niño takes lives, infrastructure as U.S. storm systems prove ill-prepared
About two-thirds of America's culverts are in states with outdated design standards.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
planning NEXT
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority