Greg Pierce
@gregspierce.bsky.social
UCLA: Human Right to Water Solutions Lab, Luskin Center, Department of Urban Planning, Water Resources Group
Pinned
Greg Pierce
@gregspierce.bsky.social
· Mar 5
Out now! A Comment in Nature Water discusses major implications for water supply after the Los Angeles Fires
@gregspierce.bsky.social l @edithdeguzman.bsky.social @mullinmeg.bsky.social
👇
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
@gregspierce.bsky.social l @edithdeguzman.bsky.social @mullinmeg.bsky.social
👇
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Redefining expectations for urban water supply systems to fight wildfires - Nature Water
Three major implications stemming from the water supply narratives around the Los Angeles fires have emerged: the need for greater infrastructure resilience, considering the uneven costs of new expect...
www.nature.com
Our Nature Water comment “Redefining expectations for urban water supply systems to fight wildfire” is out ⬇️.
I started working on this w/ @edithdeguzman.bsky.social and @mullinmeg.bsky.social 10 days after the fires started.
We lay out 3 major implications from the fires for water supply systems
I started working on this w/ @edithdeguzman.bsky.social and @mullinmeg.bsky.social 10 days after the fires started.
We lay out 3 major implications from the fires for water supply systems
There are a lot of serious parts of this article, but this is not one of them lol
December 21, 2025 at 11:48 PM
There are a lot of serious parts of this article, but this is not one of them lol
Reposted by Greg Pierce
For geo folks: Barrick and Newmont want to pump groundwater to dewater their gold mines. That lowers groundwater, and groundwater and surface water are connected physically (if not legally).
More details from @danielrothberg.bsky.social, who says Nevada's top water regulator faced pushback from a major gold mining company over raising the possibility of limiting groundwater pumping: invisiblewaters.substack.com/p/the-dismis...
The dismissal of Nevada's top water regulator
Plus: The stalled Colorado River talks and the uneven price of water in the West.
invisiblewaters.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
For geo folks: Barrick and Newmont want to pump groundwater to dewater their gold mines. That lowers groundwater, and groundwater and surface water are connected physically (if not legally).
Reposted by Greg Pierce
suspect a big reason why many academics and others who work in areas where getting facts RIGHT is key are disinterested in using LLMs for research:
they’ve tried it, they keep noticing major errors in output, and they conclude that having to verify all that doesn’t actually save them time.
they’ve tried it, they keep noticing major errors in output, and they conclude that having to verify all that doesn’t actually save them time.
December 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
suspect a big reason why many academics and others who work in areas where getting facts RIGHT is key are disinterested in using LLMs for research:
they’ve tried it, they keep noticing major errors in output, and they conclude that having to verify all that doesn’t actually save them time.
they’ve tried it, they keep noticing major errors in output, and they conclude that having to verify all that doesn’t actually save them time.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
[preparing to get screamed at] I think I officially don’t need to know if you’re mad that an article is paywalled. Perhaps that can be an Inside Thought
December 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
[preparing to get screamed at] I think I officially don’t need to know if you’re mad that an article is paywalled. Perhaps that can be an Inside Thought
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Journal article: “the data are available on request”
The data:
The data:
December 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Journal article: “the data are available on request”
The data:
The data:
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Now up to three separate spots with 100+ gusts in/near Boulder, two within the past hour.
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
December 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Now up to three separate spots with 100+ gusts in/near Boulder, two within the past hour.
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
Reposted by Greg Pierce
California’s urban drinking water systems are built to “fight smaller-scale urban structural fires” but are not “designed to fight large wildfires,” according to @fkearns.bsky.social & @gregspierce.bsky.social, writes @ianjames.bsky.social
L.A.’s fire hydrants ran dry during the January wildfires, exposing critical gaps in our water infrastructure. Finding ways to foot the bill for such upgrades promises to be challenging, said Erik Porse, director of @ucanrwater.bsky.social.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
L.A.'s hydrants ran dry during the fires. Residents are still demanding solutions
Nearly a year after the devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, residents and experts say the water problems that hindered firefighting leave several lessons.
www.latimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
California’s urban drinking water systems are built to “fight smaller-scale urban structural fires” but are not “designed to fight large wildfires,” according to @fkearns.bsky.social & @gregspierce.bsky.social, writes @ianjames.bsky.social
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Thank you to @ianjames.bsky.social for including our — @gregspierce.bsky.social @edithdeguzman.bsky.social @ucanrwater.bsky.social — recent work here.
The wildfires revealed the limitations of California’s water systems. When L.A.’s overtaxed systems lost pressure, fire hydrants ran dry. A year later, residents and experts are weighing solutions that would make more water available for firefighting. www.latimes.com/environment/...
L.A.'s hydrants ran dry during the fires. Residents are still demanding solutions
Nearly a year after the devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, residents and experts say the water problems that hindered firefighting leave several lessons.
www.latimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Thank you to @ianjames.bsky.social for including our — @gregspierce.bsky.social @edithdeguzman.bsky.social @ucanrwater.bsky.social — recent work here.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
December 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Greg Pierce
A #painting for you. "Water Tower" came out of my cycle across America where the number of water towers I could see on the horizon would tell me not only the location of a town but also what to expect there. Useful in my pre-internet times. This one was in Nebraska. #art #ArtAdventCalendar #ArtYear
December 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
A #painting for you. "Water Tower" came out of my cycle across America where the number of water towers I could see on the horizon would tell me not only the location of a town but also what to expect there. Useful in my pre-internet times. This one was in Nebraska. #art #ArtAdventCalendar #ArtYear
Reposted by Greg Pierce
ICYMI our Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance webinar recording is now available.
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance Webinar Recap
Watch the the first in a series of webinar discussions on defensible space that SLAGC is organizing. During Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance, experts discussed what is a...
sustainablela.ucla.edu
December 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
ICYMI our Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance webinar recording is now available.
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
The wildfires revealed the limitations of California’s water systems. When L.A.’s overtaxed systems lost pressure, fire hydrants ran dry. A year later, residents and experts are weighing solutions that would make more water available for firefighting. www.latimes.com/environment/...
L.A.'s hydrants ran dry during the fires. Residents are still demanding solutions
Nearly a year after the devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, residents and experts say the water problems that hindered firefighting leave several lessons.
www.latimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The wildfires revealed the limitations of California’s water systems. When L.A.’s overtaxed systems lost pressure, fire hydrants ran dry. A year later, residents and experts are weighing solutions that would make more water available for firefighting. www.latimes.com/environment/...
Thanks to @ianjames.bsky.social James for the comprehensive coverage of the LA water supply-firefighting debate nearly 1 year later.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
L.A.'s hydrants ran dry during the fires. Residents are still demanding solutions
Nearly a year after the devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, residents and experts say the water problems that hindered firefighting leave several lessons.
www.latimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Thanks to @ianjames.bsky.social James for the comprehensive coverage of the LA water supply-firefighting debate nearly 1 year later.
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Reposted by Greg Pierce
I'm in @latimes.com today on why LAX's $1.5B plan to expand its road network will only make traffic worse. Instead: better FlyAway bus service, more bike/pedestrian/People Mover investment, and congestion pricing for the horseshoe to actually make it flow!:
Contributor: Only Los Angeles could spend $1.5 billion to make airport traffic worse
LAX authorities scuttled its terminal expansions after the pandemic. And yet the now seemingly unnecessary roadway plan marches on.
www.latimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I'm in @latimes.com today on why LAX's $1.5B plan to expand its road network will only make traffic worse. Instead: better FlyAway bus service, more bike/pedestrian/People Mover investment, and congestion pricing for the horseshoe to actually make it flow!:
Reposted by Greg Pierce
In addition to the brief linked below, @ra-becks.bsky.social wrote a related piece about the “hydrants ran dry” narrative in the LA fires @calmatters.org calmatters.org/environment/...
December 16, 2025 at 7:33 PM
In addition to the brief linked below, @ra-becks.bsky.social wrote a related piece about the “hydrants ran dry” narrative in the LA fires @calmatters.org calmatters.org/environment/...
thanks to @ra-becks.bsky.social for covering our just-released work on how often the 'hydrants run dry' in major wildfires across the U.S. West
calmatters.org/environment/...
calmatters.org/environment/...
The hydrants will run dry: Trump's LA fire claims missed the mark, study shows
Echoing state and local officials, a new analysis agrees: hydrant failures in the Palisades fire were ‘the rule rather than the exception.’
calmatters.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
thanks to @ra-becks.bsky.social for covering our just-released work on how often the 'hydrants run dry' in major wildfires across the U.S. West
calmatters.org/environment/...
calmatters.org/environment/...
Based on the unique way that the role of water system infrastructure in the Palisades fire has been covered and perceived, we put out a new issue brief today to answer a simple question:
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
December 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Based on the unique way that the role of water system infrastructure in the Palisades fire has been covered and perceived, we put out a new issue brief today to answer a simple question:
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
Reposted by Greg Pierce
I’ll be moderating the science and innovation panel at the Colorado River Water Users Association annual meeting next week. Really curious to see what unfolds during this tense and critical time.
Tribes say they've been left out of Colorado River talks, want a say in any final deal @debkrol.bsky.social @azcentral.com www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Tribes say they've been left out of Colorado River talks, want a say in any final deal
As western water leaders prepare to gather in Las Vegas, tribal leaders say they want a say in a final agreement.
www.azcentral.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I’ll be moderating the science and innovation panel at the Colorado River Water Users Association annual meeting next week. Really curious to see what unfolds during this tense and critical time.
Some alarming water shutoffs happening in Jackson, including one of the last water-fire relationships you want to see.
"[Ward Councillor] Stokes got permission from Mayor John Horhn to turn on fire hydrants so residents can fill buckets to flush toilets and clean."
www.wlbt.com/2025/12/05/j...
"[Ward Councillor] Stokes got permission from Mayor John Horhn to turn on fire hydrants so residents can fill buckets to flush toilets and clean."
www.wlbt.com/2025/12/05/j...
JXN Water shuts off service to residents with unpaid bills
JXN Water shut off service to several customers with unpaid bills in one Jackson neighborhood, leaving residents without running water for basic needs.
www.wlbt.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Some alarming water shutoffs happening in Jackson, including one of the last water-fire relationships you want to see.
"[Ward Councillor] Stokes got permission from Mayor John Horhn to turn on fire hydrants so residents can fill buckets to flush toilets and clean."
www.wlbt.com/2025/12/05/j...
"[Ward Councillor] Stokes got permission from Mayor John Horhn to turn on fire hydrants so residents can fill buckets to flush toilets and clean."
www.wlbt.com/2025/12/05/j...
Reposted by Greg Pierce
Next time someone at a party complains about AI and water, send them this story.
@mollytaft.com writes about the way AI’s water woes narratives overshadows the more pressing ENERGY problem w/ the data center boom.
We have to get these facts right since the “why AI” debate is so dang important. ⚡️
@mollytaft.com writes about the way AI’s water woes narratives overshadows the more pressing ENERGY problem w/ the data center boom.
We have to get these facts right since the “why AI” debate is so dang important. ⚡️
new from me: are data centers going to wipe out water supplies? how much water does ChatGPT really use? and what's going on with that big correction in Empire of AI?
i went long on the conversation around AI and water, and how it's actually about what we want resources to be used for:
i went long on the conversation around AI and water, and how it's actually about what we want resources to be used for:
You’re Thinking About AI and Water All Wrong
Fears about AI data centers’ water use have exploded. Experts say the reality is far more complicated than people think.
www.wired.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Next time someone at a party complains about AI and water, send them this story.
@mollytaft.com writes about the way AI’s water woes narratives overshadows the more pressing ENERGY problem w/ the data center boom.
We have to get these facts right since the “why AI” debate is so dang important. ⚡️
@mollytaft.com writes about the way AI’s water woes narratives overshadows the more pressing ENERGY problem w/ the data center boom.
We have to get these facts right since the “why AI” debate is so dang important. ⚡️