WET 7: Cool Smart Surfaces Tackle Heat Islands

Global urban adoption of Smart Surfaces would cost-effectively deliver a 15% CO2e emissions reduction and 5°F of city-wide cooling—with enormous co-benefits California is trying to solve multiple problems simultaneously: rising heat, inequality, clean air & water, and making cities and neighborhoods more resilient and sustainable   As average temperatures rise, and storms grow more forceful, […]

Read More

WET 6: Exploring the Maven’s Notebook

On a December day in 2021, Chris “The Maven” Austin met with SSV’s Water Director Dennis Murphy to chat about all things water in California.  Chris has been publishing Maven’s Notebook since 2013 and has been aggregating California water news since 2007.  CA Water 101 is one of numerous informative resources that can be found […]

Read More

SSV Joins the Smart Surfaces Coalition

Sustainable Silicon Valley is partnering with the national Smart Surfaces Coalition to help cities make “smart” surface decisions by demonstrating the value of common sense solutions that manage the sun and rain. By using Smart Surfaces where appropriate, cities around the world can reduce extreme summer heat by several degrees, stem flooding, combat climate change, […]

Read More

SSV Building a Sustainable Community Development Framework

Photo: SiteLab Urban Studio SSV’s steadfast vision of a healthy, equitable and clean energy Bay Area, with specialized focus areas of Water, Air Quality, Mobility and Decarbonization, also includes advocating for sustainable communities and increased civic engagement. SSV is partnering/collaborating with the San Jose State University Sbona Honors Program  to create a sustainable community development […]

Read More

WaterPalooza! 2021 Takeaways

Thoughts on two days of water immersion WaterPalooza! 2021 featured a spectacular roundup of water industry luminaries, industry experts, municipal water providers, entrepreneurs, scientists, government officials, advocates, and educators speaking about conserving, making, and preserving water.    Some key takeaways: Fix the leaks, transition thirsty landscaping to drought resistant plants, and don’t waste water! A diversified […]

Read More

A Happy Tale of Solar Reuse

The “old panels” taken down and set for a cleaning. & a Snazzy Solar Roof (w/drones) It started, as most things do, over a beer. And copious appetizers provided by wonderfully determined hosts. Al fresco dining near the barbecue, with reasonable social distance. Conversation with my wife’s friend’s husband (we’ll call him Abe) turns to […]

Read More