Parched California (11/14/13)

"The Bay Delta debate sucks all the oxygen out of the water discussion," according to Lester Snow, executive director of the California Water Foundation. While the Bay Delta needs to be addressed, it doesn’t fix California’s long-term problems, Snow said. With population increasing in a parched state, California needs to focus on efficiency, groundwater policy and wastewater recycling. Some areas will eventually turn to desalination plants, but "there is a real risk to doing it too soon," according to Heather Cooley of The Pacific Institute. This conversation explores the solutions and resilience the state needs to prepare for extreme weather and declining snowpack. When it comes to climate change, “water’s going to be the thing that translates it for people into a real experience,” said Bob Wilkinson, an adjunct associate professor at UC Santa Barbara. Heather Cooley,Water Program Co-Director, The Pacific Institute Brandon Goshi, Manager of Water Policy and Strategy, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Lester Snow, Executive Director, California Water Foundation (invited) Bob Wilkinson, Adjunct Associate Professor, Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on November 14, 2013 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices