Climate change is fueling a desalination boom

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Climate Solution Desalination — A prototype OceanWell reverse osmosis pod sits on the dock Dec. 1 at the Las Virgenes Reservoir in Westlake Village, Calif., where the technology is tested.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — Jaden Gilliam, OceanWell project engineer, left, and Mark Golay, director of engineering projects, lower a prototype reverse osmosis pod Dec. 1 into the reservoir.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — The intake screen of OceanWell's prototype reverse osmosis pod, designed to allow microscopic organisms such as plankton to safely pass through, is seen Dec. 1 in Westlake Village, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — A prototype OceanWell reverse osmosis pod is lowered Dec. 1 into Las Virgenes Reservoir in Westlake Village, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — The Carlsbad desalination plant's intake lagoon is seen Dec. 2 on the right and the discharge canal on the left.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — A sectioned-off area of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon marks the seawater intake for the Carlsbad desalination plant Dec. 2 in Carlsbad, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — Reverse osmosis machinery operates Dec. 2 at the Carlsbad desalination plant in Carlsbad, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — Pipes carrying brackish feed water Dec. 2 run through the Carlsbad desalination plant.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — Pipes carrying brine and other substances Dec. 2 run through the Carlsbad desalination plant.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — Remnants of fire-damaged homes are seen Dec. 1 in the Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — Garibaldi, California’s state fish, which are vulnerable to impingement on desalination intake screens, swim Dec. 2 in La Jolla, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — A sea lion basks in the sun Dec. 3 in La Jolla, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

Climate Solution Desalination — Kelp rises Dec. 2 from a thinned kelp forest in La Jolla, Calif.
Annika Hammerschlag, Associated Press

In a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the sea

In a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the sea

Scientists warn that as desalination increases, damage to coastal ecosystems — many already under pressure — could intensify.

Record US drought sparks worries about fires, water supply and food prices

Record US drought sparks worries about fires, water supply and food prices

Drought in the contiguous United States reached record levels for this time of year, weather data shows.