According to the California Department of Water Resources, California agriculture irrigates 9.6 million acres using roughly 34 million acre-feet of water (1.1 trillion gallons) diverted from surface waters or pumped from groundwater. This water produces amazing results.

California produces over 250 different crops and leads the nation in production of 75 commodities. California is the sole producer of 12 different commodities including almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, raisins, kiwifruit, olives, persimmons, pistachios, prunes and walnuts. Most of this production would not be possible without irrigation.

But agriculture often gets blamed for the West’s water woes. The notion that Central Valley farmers are receiving, and wasting, cheap subsidized water at the expense of urban users and the environment is commonly held. But many in the agricultural community are demonstrating water leadership and moving California toward more equitable and efficient water management and use.

The Oakland, California based Pacific Institute recently released a new report and video entitled California Farm Water Success Stories, which analyzes successful examples of sustainable water policies and practices.  The report highlights the best practices of several different agricultural commodities across the state.

Review the California Farm Water Success Stories video.
Watch extended video interviews with each grower.
Download the full report (pdf).

Thanks go to The Pacific Institute for their important work, and the agricultural leaders who are helping to demonstrate that we can make progress on water use in California.

Turn the music off as it takes away from the flight itself.

Timelapse – Los Angeles Wildfire from Dan Blank on Vimeo.

Environment Canada estimates that for every acre of primarily coniferous forest burned, approximately 4.81 metric tons of carbon is released into the atmosphere—between 80 percent and 90 percent in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂), with the rest as carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH₄). (via Slate’s Green Lantern column)

According to Pew's phone survey, 15% of respondents had used such sites 'yesterday' or the day before they were contacted. Twenty-two percent shoot their own videos and 14% post some of that video online. These figures show that video sharing is becoming more commonplace.

So does this mean that every green project should upload a grainy, camera-phone video to YouTube? No, but you should at least include the option of video in your next project. [UPDATE: to stream live video from your phone, check out Qik]. Your customers, prospects, and job applicants are becoming more familiar with this form of communication. 

According to the Pew study, the percentage of Internet users aged 30-49 visiting such sites increased from 35 to 51% (+46%); ages 50-64 increased from 19 to 30% (+58%); and users 65+ increased 11 to 16% (+45%).

How are organizations using video? GreenPeace International has posted 82 separate videos to their YouTube channel including a rather cheeky one called Sunshine making the rounds on the Internet promoting energy efficient lightbulbs. They're also using video to document their hard work intercepting whaling ships.

Grocer retailer H.E.B. created a TV Commercial Contest asking customers to submit videos about their H.E.B. experiences. They established www.myheb.com with a YouTube-like look to post all of the commercials and identified a grand prize winner.

ProTEC Structural Insulated Panel system uploaded a promotional video to YouTube that has 4,181 views. Assuming 5% of viewers contact the company to request more information. That's 20 sales leads for little effort.

One of the best examples of a company using video to communicate with potential customers is Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. Check out these two videos: Onslaught and Evolution. For a subtle approach, check out Sony Bravia ads. 

Clients with uploaded videos: Chartwell School, Playa Viva, Green Key Real Estate, and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment.

And if you're looking for secret strategies to promote your viral videos, check out Dan Greenberg's article on TechCrunch.

Good luck.