Water & Oceans

"Calif. Snowpack Is Near-Average — What Does This Mean For Water Supplies?"

"At 90% of the state historical average, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is nothing like record-smashing 2023. But it ‘s the third year in the row with near-average or above-average snowpack."

Source: CalMatters, 04/01/2025

"Unearthed: The Mining Issue"

"The world needs massive amounts of critical minerals to power the transition to clean energy. But as countries and industries explore new mining opportunities, a major question looms: Can all of this extraction be done without the same environmental and human costs associated with fossil fuels?"

Source: Grist, 03/28/2025

"Trump’s ‘Energy Emergency’ Means Green Light For Enbridge Line 5"

"Six Michigan tribes have withdrawn from federal discussions over the controversial Enbridge Line 5 project after learning that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are fast-tracking approval for the massive oil tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac."

Source: ICT, 03/28/2025

"New Mexico Set To Become Third State To Implement Full PFAS Product Ban"

"New Mexico is poised to become the third state to institute a full-fledged ban on products that contain toxic “forever chemicals,” as two key bills head to the governor’s desk."

Source: The Hill, 03/28/2025

"Earth’s Land Masses Are Drying Out Fast, Scientists Warn"

"Earth has lost enough soil moisture in the last 40 years to change the planet’s spin and shift the location of the North Pole, according to a new study published today in Science that tracks how human activities have disrupted the global water cycle. The persistent loss of water from land to oceans has dried out huge portions of every continent and may be irreversible, scientists describing the new research said this week."

Source: Inside Climate News, 03/28/2025

"Musk Targeted FEMA. Storm-Battered Communities Are Paying a Price."

"A North Carolina college, ravaged by Hurricane Helene, can’t rebuild unless federal money starts flowing. A nonprofit in Florida that helped Hayley Riotto and her children after Hurricane Ian may have to start cutting staff. A Hawaii group that helps survivors of the Lahaina fire says it can only go another month or two before eliminating workers."

Source: NYTimes, 03/28/2025
April 3, 2025

DEADLINE: Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy — A Fellowship for Journalists

This new three-month fellowship program for US-based, mid-career journalists was created by Ocean Nexus and Metcalf Institute, in collaboration with the Uproot Project, to advance transformative changes at the intersection of ocean governance, social justice, and equity. Apply by Apr 3, 2025.

Visibility: 

Sewage Sludge Is Used As Farm Fertilizer. Some Neighbors Hate It

"When Leslie Stewart moved to her home in a rural expanse of Lincoln County outside of Oklahoma City more than 20 years ago, she thought she’d found a slice of heaven. ... But several years ago, her neighbor began applying sewage sludge, which consists largely of human waste left over from municipal wastewater treatment facilities, as a fertilizer on his farmland, causing a rancid smell so powerful it nearly took her breath away."

Source: AP, 03/27/2025

Despite Staff and Budget Cuts, NOAA Issues Critical Drought Warnings

"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, although battered by Trump administration attempts to impose massive staff and budget cuts on the agency, nevertheless continues to publish critical climate information, including some dire drought warnings in the spring outlook published March 20 by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center."

Source: Inside Climate News, 03/26/2025

Treating Texas’ Oilfield Wastewater Could Use More Energy Than Most States

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"As Texas stares down a water shortfall, its leaders are looking at vast volumes of brown, briney oilfield wastewater as a hopeful source of future supply. They don’t have many other options. But extracting clean water from this toxic slurry will require enormous amounts of energy, just as Texas fights to keep up with the rapidly growing power demands of a high-tech industrial buildout."

Source: Inside Climate News, 03/26/2025

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