Drought

Is Suburban Sprawl Worsening America's Historic Drought?

As the U.S. experiences its worst drought in over half a century, Kaid Benfield questions the connection with the country's suburban growth patterns over that same period.

July 20, 2012 - Switchboard

Stemming the Flow of "Unaccounted-for Water"

For decades, water utilities in Georgia have had a certain amount of water go missing - up to 30% of their supply, in some cases. With water becoming more precious, utilities are finally trying to solve the mystery.

September 27, 2011 - The Macon Telegraph

Band of States Struggle Through Drought

From Florida to Arizona, 14 states are in the midst of a major drought. The effects have been far-reaching and devastating to both the environment and economy.

July 20, 2011 - The New York Times

State Subsidies Enable the Southwest's Largest New Urbanist Development

It's at Albuquerque's edge, it's the size of Manhattan, and it's happening, despite drought, recession and tightening state budgets. An annotation of Mesa del Sol's master plan explains how and why.

April 25, 2011 - High Country News

Parts of U.S. at 'Extreme' Risk of Drying Out

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council shows that many parts of the Great Plains and the Southwest U.S. are facing severe water shortages in the near future.

July 28, 2010 - National Geographic

Seeking Solutions to California's Drought

This piece from National Geographic takes a look at the three-year drought that's plaguing California's cities and farms.

March 18, 2010 - National Geographic

O.C. Homeowners Sued for Removing Lawn

In Orange, California, city codes require that front yards be 40% landscaping. After considerately adding drought-resistant plants and bark to save water, the city sued an Orange couple.

March 3, 2010 - www.latimes.com

Fighting Drought in California

Three years into a statewide drought, California officials have taken drastic steps to reduce water use in cities and farms. 60 Minutes looks at the drought and efforts to combat the water shortage.

December 29, 2009 - CBS

Watching Water Loss Via Satellite

NASA satellites have tracked the loss of water in California's Central Valley over the past few years, and finds that drought coupled with over-irrigation are stressing the state's supplies.

December 16, 2009 - BBC

Thirsting in America's Fruit Basket

To protect the endangered Delta Smelt fish, pumping of water from California's Sacramento Delta has been drastically cut back. Add in the state's three-year-long drought, and the result is a major problem for the state's people and farmers.

October 28, 2009 - The Economist

How Water Affects Renewable Energy

Renewable energy production takes a lot of water. With droughts and shortages plaguing many areas, the limited supply could crimp the ability of renewable energy providers to create green energy.

October 1, 2009 - The New York Times

Drought Policy and Flooding Streets in LA

While residents ration water for lawn-watering, Los Angeles has experienced double the breaks in water mains as in previous years. The breaks have destroyed streets and flooded businesses, leaving many looking for answers.

September 29, 2009 - The New York Times

Heart of California's Agriculture on Life-Support

Water restrictions on farms in the state have atrophied jobs in the fertile Central Valley, giving communities some of the highest rates of unemployment in the state. As jobs dry up, the need for aid is surpassing what's there to give.

September 3, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

California Bill Seeks Sharp Cuts in Per-Capita Water Use

The state of California is looking to reduce its per-capita water usage 20% by 2020, a plan that's moving forward in the state legislature. The plan could mean drastic changes for many cities in the arid parts of the state.

July 31, 2009 - Miller-McCune

Three Year Deadline to Find New Water for Georgia

The drama over water between Florida, Alabama and Georgia is heating up, as a U.S. District Court ruled recently that Georgia's withdrawals from Lake Lanier are illegal. It's going to have to find a new source of water -- and inter-state cooperation.

July 24, 2009 - Associated Press

Lose Lawn, Gain Money

Cities in the Southwest are drying up. With less water to go around, water-intensive plantings like vast lawns are becoming an environmental faux pas. Now some cities are compensating residents for getting rid of them.

July 21, 2009 - GreenBiz

Australia a Model of Changing Climate

With years of drought, recent deadly fires, outbreaks of pests and a multitude of other problems, Australia is becoming the poster child for what effects global climate change will have.

April 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Water Problems Call for Action from Obama

Global water shortages are an issue the Obama Administration will need to address, according to this piece from Citiwire.

March 29, 2009 - Citiwire

Water Threat: 'Bigger Than Financial Crisis'

As the World Water Forum convenes in Istanbul, two new reports warn that water shortages will elevate to a global crisis within the next two decades, creating a problem even bigger than the current economic crisis.

March 18, 2009 - The Independent

The World in Drought

Population centers the world around are caught in the grips of devastating droughts. Though temporary conditions, their increasing frequency should be a call to water-saving action, writes Tom Englehardt.

March 2, 2009 - Mother Jones

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.

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