AUGUST 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Water Resilience Coalition Launches 2024 Impact Report 

The Water Resilience Coalition has released its 2024 Impact Report "From Risk to Opportunity: Driving Business Action for Corporate Water Stewardship" highlighting the strides made towards a water-resilient future. Dive into the WRC’s progress, highlights from collective action in priority basins, and the road ahead. 

New Pacific Institute Report Assesses Air Quality Threats in the Salton Sea 

New Pacific Institute report, “Breathing Hazard: Air Pollution in the Salton Sea Region,” assesses the complex and growing air quality threats in the Salton Sea region of southeastern California and outlines more effective strategies to protect public health.  

With over 500,000 people at risk, the report urges state and local agencies to change their approach to better protect public health.

Water Resilience Coalition Welcomes New CEO, Matt Kistler 

The Pacific Institute is pleased to welcome Matt Kistler as CEO of the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC). This appointment marks a pivotal moment for the WRC as it scales up its ambition to drive measurable, collective impact across the world’s most water-stressed basins.  

Under his leadership, the Coalition is poised to expand its influence, deepen partnerships, and further mobilize the private sector to accelerate the bold ambition of achieving water resilience in 100 priority basins by 2030.  

Join us in welcoming Matt! 

Leave a Legacy of Water Resilience 

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a perfect time to consider how your legacy can make a lasting impact on water resilience. By including the Pacific Institute in your estate plans, you create a healthier, more resilient, and equitable world for future generations. 

Through your planned gift, no matter the size, you make a powerful commitment to ensure water resilience for people and nature in your community and around the world. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Pacific Institute and CEO Water Mandate Showcase Innovative Water Resilience Solutions at Stockholm World Water Week 

Stockholm World Water Week convenes leading water experts and organizations to address the world’s most pressing water challenges. The Pacific Institute and CEO Water Mandate are in Stockholm this week to participate in a range of topics, from AI to Biodiversity. 

Pacific Institute’s Dr. Emilio Mateo Co-Authors Article  

Pacific Institute Research Specialist Dr. Emilio Mateo recently co-authored a research article featured on ScienceDirect. 

The study, titled “Too hot to handle: Assessing practitioner climate service needs to advance heat resilience,” explores extreme heat adaptation and how heat-related climate risks can be better communicated to the public. 

Pacific Institute Associate Director for Water and Climate Equity Named Top Scholar by ScholarGPS 

Pacific Institute Associate Director for Water and Climate Equity, Dr. Shannon McNeeley, has recently been named a Top Scholar by ScholarGPS. The academic ranking platform placed Shannon in the top 0.5% worldwide in the Adaptation specialty. 

Her research has focused on climate change science and policy, water resources and drought preparedness, and climate planning and action, with a strong focus on supporting those at highest risk through just and equitable solutions. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pacific Institute and CEO Water Mandate at 80th UN General Assembly  

Join the CEO Water Mandate and Water Resilience Coalition in New York City for the UN General Assembly between September 23-27 to learn how the private sector is driving progress toward net positive water impact in 100 priority basins worldwide.

Pacific Institute Senior Fellow Michael Cohen to be Featured at Healthy Desert Healthy You

Pacific Institute Senior Fellow Michael Cohen will be featured at Healthy Desert Healthy You in Rancho Mirage, California, on September 11.

His session, “Health Experts, Data, and Community Voices on Air Quality and Health Outcomes,” will bring together health experts and community members to explore how air quality impacts public health and to highlight strategies for advancing solutions that strengthen community resilience. 

RECAP

Pacific Institute Chief Research and Program Officer Heather Cooley Featured at Alliance for Water Efficiency 2025 Symposium 

Pacific Institute Chief Research and Program Officer Heather Cooley was featured at the Alliance for Water Efficiency 2025 Symposium on August 8 in Chicago, Illinois.

Her session, “State and Local Policies that Hold Water (Savings)” explored how state and local policies were driving measurable water savings—from innovative tax credits and incentives to building code advancements and right-sized standards. Attendees learned what was already working across the country and what tools were gaining traction, even in a shifting policy landscape. 

Advancing Collective Action for Water Resilience 

The CEO Water Mandate and the Water Resilience Coalition hosted a one-hour session on August 13 to provide an opportunity to connect with peers, collaborate across sectors, and strengthen global efforts to build water resilience through collective action.

The session spotlighted corporate leadership in water stewardship and showcased bold commitments toward achieving net positive water impact across 100 of the world’s most water-stressed basins — including the newly launched European Basins Initiative (2025). 

IN THE NEWS

The world's most influential media outlets frequently turn to the Pacific Institute to provide expert, science-based insights on water challenges and solutions. Here are just a few of the media highlights from the past month.

Los Angeles Times

Salton Sea Not to Blame for Coachella, Imperial Air Pollution, Study Says

Los Angeles Times

Is Southern California Prepared to Avoid a ‘Day Zero’ Water Crisis?

Los Angeles Times

Should L.A. Look to ‘Sponge Cities’ to Solve Its Flooding Problem?

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