Presented by Debbie DavisPolicy DirectorEnvironmental Justice Coalition for WaterMay 26, 2010

California’s Just and Resilient Water Future

AboutThe Environmental Justice

Coalition for Water Statewide coalition of more than seventy community-based and non-profit organizations

Fighting for water justice in California

Safe drinking water, waterways that support subsistence fishing, tribal cultural uses, recreational access

Water Bond 2010An Expensive Recipe for Disaster

•Facing a $19 billion shortfall this year•Bond Freeze has meant that dollars already authorized have not gone out•Still more than $7 billion in authorized water bond dollars that have not been spent

California Cannot Afford to add $22 Billion in Dept to the Balance Sheet

“…further increasing the General Fund’s debt burden, especially in the next three difficult budgets, would require cutting even deeper into crucial services already reeling from billions of dollars in reductions. “

State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, 2009 Debt Affordability Report

19th Century Practices Lack Climate Resilience - Agriculture

80% of California’s Developed Water

Global Water – Food – Climate Crisis Requires a Shift from Industrial Agriculture to Sustainable AgricultureInstitute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

19th Century Practices and Old Infrastructure – Domestic UseTransporting, Heating, and Treating Water Uses 30% of California’s Gas and Electricity

60% of water delivered for domestic use is used on outdoor irrigation.

Old Infrastructure leaks and forces flushing of the system wasting treated water.

Ignores Core Needs - Less Than 1% Guaranteed to Go to the Most Vulnerable Communities

More than 1.5 million Californians are without safe drinking water in the Central Valley Alone.

Millions are on failing septic systems.

Tens of millions rely on old and decrepit water and wastewater infrastructure.

A Few Facts About California Water and Climate

We can’t stop climate change, but we can choose to accept climate change as an opportunity.

Good News: We Can Chart a Climate Resilient, Just Water Future

A Truth About California Water

“…we have enough to live on, but not enough to waste.”Dorothy Green, October 8, 2008

www.ejcw.org