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A Water Negotiator’s Realization: Climate Change Is The Threat, Not Cities
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• 45:47
Hamby listens attentively as IID employees explain the various levels and purposes of the plant.
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Zaydee Sanchez
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LAist
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Topline:
“Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker” is about JB Hamby, a 28-year old Californian who is in charge of protecting the state’s access to Colorado River water during the worst drought ever on the river.
In Part 3, negotiations break down along geographic lines. JB Hamby realizes the existential threat that climate change poses to his hometown. And he’s forced to confront opposition from some of his long-time neighbors and allies: farmers in the Imperial Valley.
Why it matters: Climate change and overuse are drying up the Colorado River, which provides water to 40 million people in seven states and two countries and 30% of Southern California’s drinking water.
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The negotiations: The seven U.S. states that use Colorado River water are trying to come up with a deal to keep the river from dropping so low that states like California and Arizona would lose access to it. But the two factions — the Lower and Upper Basin states — disagree on key issues, including who caused this crisis, who should use less, and by how much. They failed to reach a compromise before their initial deadline in March and remain deadlocked.
Why you should listen: To understand why Imperial Valley farmers feel so strongly about holding on to their water — and how a 28-year old is trying to persuade them to give some up, on their own terms. Also, learn what happens if the seven states can’t agree on a solution before the current guidelines expire.
How can I listen? Here's Part 3:
Listen
• 45:47
Listen
• 45:47
JB Hamby and the other lead negotiators on the Colorado River have to come up with a long term solution to manage the river in the face of climate change. Will they reach a deal before it’s too late? LAist correspondent Emily Guerin examines how JB's position on water has dramatically evolved since he first won office a few years ago. She brings us back to the current water negotiations as the conflict between the Upper and Lower Basins becomes very public, and JB struggles to convince Imperial Valley farmers that they need to cut back.
New episodes of Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker publish Wednesdays wherever you get your podcasts, on LAist.com, and on broadcast at LAist 89.3 the following Sunday.
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