What should we do to promote civil dialogue?

In the September 18, 2020, issue of The Nett Report, we asked readers to take a survey in regard to leadership. One of the questions asked was: “What should we do to promote civil dialogue? How do we return to a time when our leaders are able to rationally compromise on solutions – something that historically has been the very essence of the democratic process in the U.S.? In other words, how do we become one again?”

This question resulted in a range of varied and thoughtful comments. Two themes stood out to me: finding common values to focus on and restructuring social media. I did note that some comments could be perceived as having crossed the line in terms of civil dialogue while trying to address civil dialogue!

While the number of respondents was small (36 respondents) and certainly not scientific, our readers submitted insights were informative, thought-provoking and worthy of additional dialogue. Please feel free to contact me directly with additional thoughts or comment on this blog. Thanks to all who contributed!

Here’s what our readers said we should think about in promoting civil dialogue:

• Were we ever one? Jefferson and Adams were opposed on basically the same grounds we differ today. How democratic are we, and how significant is the unified country?
• This is really the most important question to be answered by the general electorate. As you discipline a child so must we discipline the politicians and the media that we no longer will support them nor listen or view their news reports unless we get fair comparisons of the two party system’s positions on the important questions of our times. Of course this will be the most difficult Time for all of us, since we want to get real news reporting in an unbiased fashion. It will be very difficult to get a large portion of the population to resist the temptation to keep on supporting by viewing and listening and buying the products that are sold on those outlets.
• Free speech, the press has lost its American way of independent thinking. Our freedom is being taken over by politics.
• I would focus on the similarities, the issues that are important to people, and not so much on the policies they are seeking to implement to address those issues. Everyone wants good paying jobs, a safe place to call home, for their kids to be healthy, good schools. start at the points they all agree.
• It is time to educate the American public about truths and facts and to hold media outlets to greater account to share legitimate and truthful news. It is way past due to establish civil dialogue and discourse in public. We must re-learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. It is not acceptable for attitudes to seek to win at all costs and to destroy personally and professionally our competitors. We need to stand united for the good of the country and for the people in our community. We must make available opportunities for success including access to education, healthcare, economic freedom, and opportunity for all. God Bless America and Prayers for a change in our political culture.
• See above. Act according to the Constitution and and rules of law. work within communities and between then.
• Respectful and honest dialogue with the goal of coming up with decisions that are best for all of us. The leader of this country has to care about the country first and foremost. Compromise on solutions that are best for the us as a whole.
• Nationalize the news (just joking). Not sure...maybe we've never been civil? It's just been magnified by social networks.
• American politics have always been shrill and partisan. Over the last 20 years the US population has become profoundly unhealthy and stressed. The elite have been corrupted by hubris and money, and disconnected from reality.
• First step has to be to elect a new President and Senate majority. Second step is to assure the Democrats do not then do what this country did when the USSR fell apart. There must be serious outreach to those who voted differently, and clear movement to policies that benefit all Americans. Of course, that is just domestically. The resumption of respect for allies and global responsibilities (political, economic and environmental) are essential.
• Eliminate the vitriol.
• We need to reject and unsubscribe from media and politicians that promote non-civil dialogue. I feel that they (media/politicians/political class/parties) have moved to a place where the other side of an issue or point of view is not just disagreed with but villainized. I believe that politicians in order to stay in power have used these strategies to divided and strengthen their base.
• Social media should outlawed - it is too easy to manipulate. Someone needs to take Fox news away from the Murdoch family, but I don't know how to do that. We have to reinforce the idea that you can have your own opinions, but you don't get to have your own facts.
• To quote a recent opinion piece in the New York Times on how to make fun of Nazis: “Humor is a particularly powerful tool — to avoid escalation, to highlight the absurdity of absurd positions and to deflate the puffery that, to the weak-minded at any rate, might resemble heroic purpose.” Cable channels on both sides that over-dramatize issues, are sarcastic towards one another, and self-importantly digest news and only provide their spin without introspection have resulted in a society that craves (and deserves) integrity.
• Stop pandering to the extreme right and left and get back to the middle where most of the people are
• Have candidates develop/proffer ideas/positions/solutions; listen to all sides; stop name calling and character bashing; avoid social media; take time to really think about issues/responses/proffered solutions;
• Be respectful of one another by listening to each other, trying to understand each other, and responding diplomatically. Monitor information sources. Be willing to compromise. Avoid ideology.
• Have national dialogue by regions which helps us to see why the 2 parties see through different glasses. We have different perspectives depending upon our political party allegiance. By being willing to listen to each other without promoting a specific agenda.
• Vote Trump out because he divided our country!
• In order to have civil dialogue, we need civil leadership. As long as we have rude, narcissistic leaders, that’s the type of dialogue and behavior that will be modeled. Unfortunately, there’s an element of our current polity that admires and promotes incivility. (I’m not talking about the “riots”. That’s another whole topic.)
• We need to stress that we are all Americans. It’s OK to have different opinions, but we must find a way to come together for the common good of all Americans. Partisanship is at an all-time high, it seems the only thing that’s important to politicians now is to make sure they get reelected.
• We have to talk about the goals we have in common with others. Everyone needs access to good healthcare when they need it. Everyone wants national security, climate security, safety for their families, etc. We have far more in common than not.
• All candidates pass a psychological evaluation of panel of experts. Demonstrate ability to think in multi dimensions, and converse civilly before they are given a public platform such as TV.
• I don't believe this country was ever "one," but things can be done to help. Education would help. Trump's defeat would help because he thrives on and promotes divisiveness. Maybe even more divisive is social media which is being used to destroy civil dialogue. This is a very difficult problem to solve. There has to be more oversight so that lies and unfounded conspiracy theories can be censored.
• Pass Federal legislation eliminating unreasonable gerrymandering by either party. Eliminate Electoral College or pass legislation that the majority vote in each state determines delegates to the Electoral College. Overturn or legislate against Citizens United judicial decision.
• If BOTH sides were to compromise more. The divide has become very wide between parties. Too wide, in my opinion.
• The country is polarized and politicians must be expected to look after the country rather than follow party lines. Big interest group continue to control US politics which must change.
• We need to have a balanced house and senate. otherwise, we will continue to have disorganization in D.C. assuming a Biden win, i believe that civility will be a major goal.
• Two suggestions: (1) Stop making the past seem so "ideal". Our history includes times of great cooperation and compromise - and remarkable, steadfast LACK of compromise. Most of us didn't know as much about either of these circumstances because we had to read a newspaper account days, weeks or even months after the fact. Thankfully, the information revolution has changed that - so, the process is more transparent. We should expect difficult issues and decisions - we are a VERY complex country. (2)I think we need more institutions and groups DEVELOPING options for public policy issues - such as housing, jobs, environmental protection. I see more non-profit organizations that can explore complex issues, put together proposals and solutions, and begin the challenging process of identifying, funding and implementing policy solutions. At present, many ballot initiatives are developed by business, labor or environmental groups that have the resources to run an initiative - and that is fine. We just need to help resource the "common voter" in being able to participate in developing campaign proposals.
• If the recent pandemic had been better managed it could have provided the catalyst to rebuild communities and bring sides closer together. It needs a radical leader with inspirational qualities. The BLM movement is possibly another issue with deep historical roots, a neutral leader might be able to heal old wounds and bring sides closer to a common vision of how life could be better for all Americans.
• I think as Americans we need to respect our differences and get away from name calling, finger pointing, judging, avoiding personal attacks, egos, and demonizing the opposition. We need to get out of the business of the blame game and start with action items that we all can agree to a compromise on and build from there. We need to be able to trust science and not just when it's expedient or when trust only what is a minority opinion in the scientific community. We need to have a better understanding on how we each evolved into our political opinions and find some common ground through that. We need to be more open to listening and to dialogue back and forth instead of waiting for your turn to prove the other person wrong. Hold your own party accountable to the same standards you would hold to the opposing party. I also think we would all benefit if Congress go through a corporate style team building and conflict resolution exercise, before every congressional session. How one defines their patriotism shouldn't be just if you waive a flag but how you respect the freedoms it represents. We need to focus on the common ideals that bring us together, whether it be Opera like Justice Ginsburg and Scalia shared in common or fly fishing. Finally, if you want to love your country, we need to love each other first. Amen!
• I would like to think that if we had a strong enough leader, it would happen automatically. This is not going to be the case, just from previous experiences. I honestly don't know how we get back to doing the right thing.
• THROW TRUMP AND HIS BAND OF BANDITS OUT OF OFFICE. STOP CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FRINGE THINKING WHO PROMOTE CONSPIRACIES, WHO WANT TO DIVIDE PEOPLE BASED ON RACE, CREED, BELIEF, ORIGIN, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. NONE OF THIS IS OKAY AND IT NEEDS TO BE PUT IN ITS PLACE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS TIME AND IT NEEDS TO BE DEFUSED IMMEDIATELY.

Survey Results: When Will the Pandemic End?

Between August 7 and August 20, 2020, readers of The Nett Report and others on social media were invited to participate in a survey that asked the following three questions:

• When do you think the pandemic will be over, and we will get back to normal?
• When will we be able to attend group gatherings like sporting events, movies, concerts, etc.?
• What do you think needs to be done to end the pandemic?

The survey is not scientific or statistically relevant, but draws on a group that Nettleton Strategies considers to be well-informed and who follow current affairs. There were 130 respondents. The results are provided below.

When do you think the pandemic will be over, and we will get back to normal?

This question was intended to capture the pulse of when the pandemic will be behind us. As you can see from the graphic, almost half (44%) think things will return to normal by the second half of 2021, a year away. 23% were more hopeful, thinking it will happen by the end of this year or in the first half of next. 33% think it will take longer, if ever, to return to normal.

When will we be able to attend group gatherings like sporting events, movies, concerts, etc.?

Respondents were marginally more hopeful about when group gatherings will be allowed, with 47% thinking it will happen in the second half of 2021. Again, another group (24%) think it will happen sooner. 29% think it will be in 2022 or beyond, if ever. Note:the red numbers add up to 30% not 29%, but the math is accurate since the individual categories were rounded up but in total only add up to 29%.

What do you think needs to be done to end the pandemic?

Nettleton Strategies reviewed the open-ended text responses to this question and categorized how many mentioned certain kinds of solutions. For instance, any solution that required a government mandate or change in elected official was placed in the "Leadership or Political" category. "Personal Actions" were solutions that individuals take responsibility for themselves (i.e. wear your mask, wash your hands). The leadership category topped the list with 52% thinking that actions by leaders or the electorate are required. Next came vaccines at 47%, followed by personal actions at 28%. A full list of the responses is provided at the end of this blog. I recommend taking the time to scan through it.

Note: the word cloud at the top of this blog was created by analyzing all the words in the open-ended survey responses found below. 

Complete list of survey responses

• Vaccine
• Close everything again 4 6 weeks
• Wear a Mask, national mandate. Realize it is about the whole and stop thinking in terms of the singular
• Get politics out of this- both parties are equally at fault
• Develop a vaccine, develop a reliable treatment (although this may be difficult since it causes things like fibrosis of the heart muscle and blood clots), get people to consistently wear masks PROPERLY whenever they are in contact with people outside of their household. There are too many people who are not taking this seriously which has resulted in the crisis that we are in.
• Vaccine
• Testing ...leadership....nationwide coordination....wear masks!!
• We need a federal approach to this. We need everyone on the same page and executing the same strategy
• People need to realize it’s not about their individual rights right now and get on board with wearing masks and social distancing. It’s bigger than each of us. It affects all of us. If we don’t pull together we’ll never get it under control. Vaccine or not! There also needs to be a consistent message and follow- through with federal, state and local governments. The message is so mixed right now, no one is listening!
• Your question about getting "back to normal" is tricky as I think we will be back to a new normal sooner than back to where we were before the pandemic. That is if we will get back to where we were. To end the pandemic we must first be successful at controlling it. We must have a robust, science based plan that includes accurate testing and contact tracing. I think this can be balanced with strategic business openings. To end the pandemic, I believe we will need an effective vaccine that is widely implemented to a majority of the population.
• A national mandate for masks or face shields. Automatic doors or foot hooks on all doors. A well planned nation wide release of the vaccine. A unified bi-partisan national message. A movement that makes mask wearing and vaccination patriotic.
• People need to be socially distant, wear masks, wash their hands and clothing and stop acting like it is an affront to their freedoms.
• Don't share your air. Elect public officials who will listen to public health officials and international colleagues and will courageously assume responsibility and accept short-term pain for long-term gain. Vote Encourage others to vote. Breathe and do the right thing for a just and equitable America every day.
• 1. Extricate politics from the science (Good luck!). 2. Follow the science. 3. Easily available Testing, and quick results. 4. Effective vaccine - for ALL. (If you threaten the rest of our society, as an anti-vaccer you simply get to enjoy fewer of society's benefits.)
• Continue to learn more about the intricacies of the virus and keep making changes that are supported by new science discoveries by learning more of this virus.
• Unfortunately in the total absence if not negligent malpractice on the part of national leadership, rooted in the presence and actions of a completely ignorant, incompetent, and mentally impaired President, even effective local and regional actions are rendered ineffectual unless some national consensus emerges which can circumvent and neutralize the counterproductive influence of the Executive Branch. So, yes, neutralizing the influence of our Executive e branch for whatever remains of his term in office would be a precondition for things starting to get better.
• Elect a competent leader who believes in science. Have a team that can provide leadership across the U.S. rather than incite division on key things like wearing a mask.
• Politics need to be much less divisive, communities less polarized and people in general need to be much less self-centered. Arguing with each other has obviously not stopped the pandemic.
• Develop rapid result testing that can be widely used throughout our society. Develop multiple low cost, effective treatments as the likelihood infection in so high.
• Rapid testing results and widespread avail of over the counter tests. Large scale testing of ALL remedies in studies: including controversial remedies. More accurate COVID antibody tests.
• Vaccine and wearing masks until numbers drop significantly
• Coordinated federal, state, and local responses in testing, tracing, isolating, and closure/openings. Today is mindful of our SoCal wildfire response prior to 2007, when Cal Fire was only able to respond and today we are able to coordinate Fed/State/Local fire departments to respond to our emergencies. Same with Homelessness and housing... we need to coordinate our resources and expedite decisions.
• Self isolate as much as possible; wear a mask when outside your residence
• Massive testing and contract tracing to reduce outbreaks. This will allow us to avoid strict shelter in place/quarantine orders. But we will not be fully back to “normal” with big crowded events for quite some time. Those aren’t going to be feasible until we have a reliable vaccine and it has widespread adoption
• A credible Vaccine made available to all students, health care workers, restaurant and grocery workers followed by all people 65+ or those with underlying health issues. Meanwhile we all do what we can to protect those most vulnerable
• Vote trump out
• To end the Covid 19 pandemic we need a vaccine that is available and accessible to everyone in the world. End of 2021 is an aspirational reach.
• First get rid of the current USA President --- what is his name ???? Second bring the USA back as a world leader Third all of this will turn into the New Next Normal (N3)
• Until a vaccine is developed and works we should be very careful about opening up our society as this virus will come back and bite us again. We need to be very careful in our opening up and going back to normal. This may be our new normal for some time not yet determined! Cheers
• We need a vaccine. In the meantime: -everyone in the nation needs to wear a mask in situations where they are outside the home and cannot social distance. -tons of testing to isolate those who are infected and allow those who are not more freedom of movement. -more federal relief dollars: for cities and states; for individuals. -special focus on k-12 education: more funding to mitigate the disparities b/t rich and poor, and make sure every child has access to education. Hopefully some of this could be accomplished thru masks&testing by creating the conditions for many schools to reopen.
• Aggressive testing, federal mandated mask wearing, appropriate infrastructure funding, one trusted hub of information and research that doesn't include politics, or the white house.
• Improving cooperation, bridging and healing divides, creating common ground and common understanding
• Live life, minimize crowded indoor congregations, this will resolve by herd immunity only.
• Everyone needs to take this seriously and follow the actions that have already been outlined: wash hands often, wear masks, keep your 6 ft distance, no large gatherings, don’t go to bars or enclosed areas, and quarantine yourself if you are feeling sick . I believe we can reduce the numbers if and only if everyone follows these steps.
• National requirements to wear masks and avoid putting people in crowds.
• Total mask-wearing requirements, backed by strict enforcement and penalties, will at least get it under control. A vaccine will help keep it there. But it may never actually end, and may keep coming back indefinitely, like a more vicious form of flu.
• A coordinated national testing and tracing strategy. It's all become so political and we watch as other countries quickly get a handle on things and not have the intense polarization of people.
• Create, test for safety and implement a vaccination program
• The sooner a vaccine is developed the better we all will be .
• Vaccine
• State and Federal government need to coordinate and provide unified policy direction based on emerging scientific data and free from political posturing. The mixed messages are confusing to the public and dilute the credibility of the experts.
• 1. Persons need to wear masks within 6' of others, indoors (not outside) and be careful when in contact with others outside their "covid circle". 2. Need to complete development of a vaccine as herd immunity to a virus seems impossible.
• My view is that a relevant vaccine must be developed, albeit I feel a bit under-educated on the subject as I believe that it has become such a political issue that it has become hard for me to sort through the facts
• National mask-wearing mandate. No opening of schools without significant protections in place. Fines and sanctions for businesses and individuals violating orders. Getting Trump OUT OF OFFICE. Listening to health and science experts. Social media crackdown on misinformation and nutty theories being posted. Start the education campaign now to promote a vaccine when available to counteract the anti-vaxxer crowd.
• Continue with required masks and social distancing. Continue to educate people of the need for masks and distancing. Vaccinate all when available.
• Leadership at the federal level! The end to budget cuts at the federal level in critical areas like pandemic planning. The end of putting politics ahead of public health. Every citizen in this country working together toward a common goal of ending the pandemic . . . much like how our citizens worked together toward a common goal in WWII.
• Our country needs to demand the Administration develop, implement, and enforce a strategic plan to: 1) create National Healthcare Equipment and Supplies Task Force responsible for maintaining inventory of health care equipment and supplies, collecting needs input from each U.S. 'command center', and distributing equitably with one system managing the entire nation; and 2) create one Universal Prevention Protocol for everyone to confidently follow; and 3) create one Request for Proposal open to anyone in the market to solve for an effective vaccine formula and a realistic manufacture and distribution plan to distribute equitably.
• Unity
• De-politicize the wearing of masks and attempt to get more people to wear them.
• Leadership and direction at the Federal level is critical - this is a public health issue, not the political issue it's been made into. The politization has resulted in a non-scientific and chaotic Federal message/approach that has thwarted efforts by state and local officials trying to address the pandemic from a public health, and ultimately economic, standpoint.
• Time and a vaccine.
• An app needs to be created where people can anonymously report COVID positive tests and record their locations over the previous 14 days. And others can log in, self report their locations and then predict chances of being in contact with a person with COVID. We are missing the opportunity to harness the collective power of individuals looking out for themselves and one another. Our failure of being able to provide information due to HIPA laws and our tendency to look to a single source to provide the information is contributing greatly to our inability to stop this pandemic. Local EMTs who transport any patients with COVID-related symptoms should immediately distribute COVID test kids to all household residents or Multifamily common area users. Cities and local governments should be using CARES Act funding to distribute free PPE and face coverings via bulk mail with the USPS, as early and often as possible. Just as utility companies gave out free or reduced cost light bulbs when new technology was available, we should encourage utility companies to offer reduced cost or free air filters for air conditioning and heating units, encouraging the frequent changing and sanitation. Churches should be allowed to reopen, with restrictions as before, as they are part of the spiritual health of our community.
• Everyone needs to be immunized and that will take at least a year. Only Biden/Harris can truly save us from this pandemic.
• Need a Vaccine.
• From what I've observed, the pandemic (which means worldwide) will likely not be over for several years. By next fall we may get it under some control in the U.S., through the use of vaccines and therapeutics (which look very promising at this point), but that is dependent upon people adhering to public health requirements and a central government providing the needed supplies, tests, and pharmaceuticals. And, this virus is so new, we don't know important information such as how long antibodies last or if and when it may mutate. The way things are going now, we just don't have the leadership or, sadly, the nationwide will to all come together for the common good. Normal is another thing. We may end up adopting masks as a normal part of our lives, as they do in China. Shaking hands may no longer be customary or even polite. Restaurant dining may be socially more distant than in the past; wait staff may be utilized differently; buffet dining may even be outlawed. Public and private buildings may be required to have windows that are operable. "New normal" is becoming a tired phrase, but I think it's accurate in that the "old normal" is probably history. I think outdoor events will come back sooner than indoor events. Social distancing measures may require different seating configurations in all venues. Air filtration systems will need to be installed. And people will need to learn to play nicely with one another, in the stands and on the field, court, or course. To end the pandemic we need to vote in November. I can't see anything other than continued chaos, and mental health issues on a massive scale, if leadership continues as it is. Beyond that, science and medicine and care for one another will end the pandemic. I hope.
• Get the people who are not willing wear masks and distance from others to cooperate and not be so selfish and short sighted. Get people in Government to agree ( GOP and DEMS) that we need to fight this virus together and stop playing partisan politics
• Listen to the epidemiologists and follow as their recommended protocols until a vaccine can be fully developed and distributed throughout the population.
• Mandate the wearing of masks in public. It is the most helpful step that will garner the most compliance and provide the most assurance for society to return to near-normal.
• Follow CDC guidelines to slow extent And spread until vaccine and treatment becomes widely available
• Vaccine Responsible people who follow the safety guidelines
• Widespread testing, contact tracing, and vaccinations.
• Will only end when there is a vaccine and when enough of the world population has been vaccinated.
• First question is tricky. I don't think we will ever return to where we were - and I do think the pandemic will end in the first half of next year IF we find our way to a National Strategy for it. Very tough to answer. To end the pandemic - a national strategy that addresses the complexities of social, economic, and health issues. It could end quickly with full support.
• When everyone is able to get a vaccine.
• I wish I were sure it would end. It needs to be taken seriously — and taken out of the political arguments surrounding masks, etc. if a true vaccine is developed, maybe we’ll have it controlled by 2022. Right now it seems the best defense is wearing a mask in public. I appreciate that stores won’t let people shop without a mask. I’m concerned about the virus mutating. Sorry — this a very rambling comment!
• Strong leadership in the world who can speak the truth, and tell the world what the hell really happened, and to tell us the truth behind this fabricated biological attack. For our own sake, we need to work together in smaller communities to educate ourselves, prepare, and drive the new norm. We cannot let the powerful elites of this nation and of this world try to rule over us and kill our liberties. If our governments cannot do the job of getting us back on our feet, then they don't deserve to have a political seat anymore. Let's propose less and less political bodies just warming up seats and restructure our governments systems, so we don't have puppets voting on issues and propositions that are going to continue to hurt our economies, our homes, our households, and income. Enough is enough!
• Vaccine. (plus get a new administration that believes in science)
• Using the space to suggest that I think it will be around summertime 2021 when the worst is behind us and we eyehole are heading back to a refined version of normal.
• Release a vaccine that works.
• People overall need to remain vigilant of their surroundings and always practice the BIG 3. 1) Social Distance 6ft 2) Wash your hands frequently throughout the day 3) Wear a face mask. I'm not sure if people are getting lazy or feel it is some sort of a conspiracy but we would be in a much better place today if we all were practicing the BIG 3 every day.
• 1. Mandatory mask wearing 2. More testing and contact tracing 3. A vaccine that works 4. A new President who doesn’t politicize the virus, but listens to the scientists
• Develop an effective and safe vaccine, and build trust with the American public and global communities to the point that enough people take the vaccine the virus can be diminished enough to allow societies to resume "normal" activities.
• The first thing that needs to happen is to get someone with a brain in the White House so he/she can listen to the scientists and knowledgeable people and point this country in the right direction. The lack of leadership in this crisis is mind blowing. Living in a state with a governor that took drastic steps mid March to shut down businesses has had a positive effect on this state (Colorado).
• The US must change leadership in both the Administration and Congress. Such a fundamental change will not happen till January 2021. The policy and leadership of national control of measures to counter the pandemic much revert back to the CDC and the science community. A far-reaching PR campaign to promote best practice must be effectively presented to the American public via clever ads, believable spokespeople, and thoughtful encouragement. The partisan bickering over science policy and faultfinding must be silenced by public pressure in response to this PR campaign. A crisis-level government directed and funded program to develop, test, and provide a vaccine to all the American public must be established ASAP. The public must be credibly encouraged to follow all best practices until a cure to this virus is found and applied.
• 1. Unquestionably a change in the White House. As long as Trump is Prez, we will be mired in this mess. Look at other countries (NZ, S Korea, etc.) - it proves it is possible to overcome the coronavirus with good, strong leadership. If the Dems prevail in this Nov. election, they don't take office till Jan. 2021, so it will take another 4-6 months to turn this country around as regards coronavirus. I also anticipate a change in the White House will open up more channels for better public health research for treatments and vaccines, as they will put more gov't $ into research than currently committed. And finally, a strong leader to tell people to put their damn masks on will make a big difference quickly.
• We need instant, cheap, self-administered testing. Everyone should test themselves when they brush their teeth in the morning (or some other daily hygiene task). And of course, we need a vaccine. But in the absence of an effective vaccine (or availability of one, since it'll take a while to scale up), daily testing and better, more proactive treatments to reduce the severity of the infection, is what will get us returning to normal.
• National science based effort.
• The pandemic may actually get worse as virus mutates. We have to figure out how to live in a new normal. The old normal is not coming back.
• Leadership. The absolute simplest mitigation is wearing a mask. Yet, we as a society can't even agree on that. The Greatest Generation got thru the depression and WWII by coming together and sacrificing for the good of the whole. We don't have the discipline to do that or at least the leadership to try. You hear a lot of comparisons to the 1918 flu pandemic. I think it's better to look at the polio pandemic of the late 1940's where science, government, and society were all on the same page. If you like history, I suggest a podcast called "Hope Through History" by Jon Meacham about how leaders dealt with polio, the 1918 pandemic, the depression, and the Cuban missile crisis.
• Vaccine mass production and equitable distribution.
• Administer a reliable 'Worldwide Vaccine' that addresses various Corona Virus 'Mutations'. A Global Organization to oversee 'Collaboration of Nations' on pandemic prevention, protection & solutions. Strict worldwide rules & enforcement of animal-to-human virus transmissions. A Global Stockpile of PPE.
• Either get rid of republicans or develop a vaccine. Short of that, the feds need to establish a national program with standardized procedures for testing, tracing, reporting, mitigation, etc., with financial incentives for states to follow these procedures. Use the defense production act to produce and provide states with the products they need to follow these procedures.
• Wear masks, wash your hands, faster test results, contact tracing, shut down the small areas with outbreaks for 14 days, have a federal policy and leadership. I think the United States is a laughing stock on how it has handled COVID -- 170,000 dead! Pathetic and callous.
• The pandemic has turned political. Both sides are trying to derive a political benefit from the shutdown/closures/etc. While the original modeling was indeed alarming, Covid has not proved to be the virus which overwhelmed the healthcare system. For those who have underlying health issues, Covid is dangerous. The $64,000 question is: have all the protocols, shutdowns and restrictions been worth the economic devastation to the national/world economy?
• A vaccine is necessary and broad vaccination required otherwise we will forever be fighting sporadic outbreaks and public confidence will be low.
• We need the Trump Administration to step up on testing and tracing, especially in areas where the virus is just emerging; confidence that the administration is not short-cutting vaccine testing (which means no vaccine this year) to prevent giving the anti-vaxxer movement any greater foothold; a national mask mandate, which scientists say is key to flattening the curve; and financial support to state governments and to families who have lost jobs due to COVID-19. With the best scientists in the world, the US has failed.
• To end it - you either lock down everything for 4 weeks, or we wait for the credible vaccine and get most people inoculated.
• The million dollar question...... Be smart about how we interact in the future. Take precautions as needed. Stay/be healthy. Your guess is as good as mine. Who knows!
• leadership from the federal government, too coordinate all the states supply chain and get everyone on the same page.
• Better pandemic management. Enhanced public confidence in the medical system. A vaccination.
• When we have a serious and focused lockdown with good testing and tracing to begin eliminating the virus.
• 1. Have stay at home orders countrywide for a month. 2. Quarantine all incoming travelers for 2 weeks. 3. Have a national mandatory mask mandate.
• sCIENCe!
• Everything you said plus keeping people from complacency. Apparently people think that they need to see certain people or do certain things because it's a risk they're willing to take because this has gone on so long, but they need to be reminded that the consequence for doing that could mean they never get to see that person or do that thing again. People need to practice patience. I'm in my early 30's and the most risky people I know are all 45+.
• people need to take it seriously.
• 1) stop making it a political issue. 2) Listen to the scientists, not only on the development of a vaccine, but on alternative treatments, 3) focus on high risk spaces such as public transportation, to make them safe (forcing social distancing, face mask use, access to hand washing, disinfecting continuously) 4) Opening up the economy by Focusing on high risk populations to keep them safe (Elderly, people with illness, homeless, disabled).
• In the next six months, much greater testing and tracing, and responsible social distancing. In early 2021, mass production and distribution of an effective vaccine.
• Mask and social distancing seem to be helping. It just needs enforced otherwise. This virus could be 200M infected. 10M die from Covid
• Fire the current "leader" and allow the person in charge who is a-political and only concerned with solutions that help get this under control.
• Have a much broader recognition and acceptance that we are in a worldwide pandemic... that is heavy concentrated in locations like the USA, where we still don't all wear masks and socially distance... and continue supporting those efforts to develop an effective vaccine!
• The election to be over.
• We have had several pandemics in my lifetime. The issue is usually society finding a "framework" to work within the new realities of said pandemic. I think that will happen by year's end.
• 1 - I'm optimistic that a vaccine will be available by the end of this year which will enable significant reduction but it will never be eradicated. 2 - Improved public health track & trace systems which become the norm in society, erosion of personal freedoms but faster suppresion of outbreaks. 3 - Wastewater epidemiology shows promise to play a new role in detecting RNA and other viral particles in the sewerage system and screening of localised outbreaks. 4 - Public meeting places such as sports stadiums and concert halls will need to be redesigned to improve hygiene and social distancing measures.
• A plan! There is a lack of information floating around. This pandemic was presented in a way that scared some, confused others and upset a large group. Many people are going to continue to suffer because of this. Almost to the point of a mental diagnosis. If we can find someone in a position of power that can be trusted, they can present a plan that helps individuals understand what is going on and when it will hopefully be controlled/monitored. But until then, the news is dangerous and spouts out statistics that people don't understand. As a result, it is affecting the economy, education system and mental health of individuals of all ages.
• We need a National strategy with strong efforts in contact tracing.
• Get a vaccine.
• I don't think we'll get back to normal, I believe this is our new "normal". Although many people think wearing a mask is political statement, until you have someone close to you die from it, you won't understand that a simple mask could protect others from the same fate. I believe we need better leadership to help us through this pandemic and we need to take a step back and look at what other countries have done to bring their cases down to zero. The sad truth is that this pandemic is not going away without a vaccine, and people are so tired of being stuck at home, that they are slowly resuming their normal activites. That being said, we can't stop living our lives, but we do need to take the proper precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy.
• Everyone agree to follow guidlines as they did in other places! Rebelliousness has been instailled at the highest level so it may be impossible.
• Mask use should be mandatory.
• Consistent nationwide minimum requirements. IE. masks, social distancing
• Have people follow the rules, wear a mask, wash your hands and maintain distance. Once we have more testing available to everyone, it is accurate and have results within 24 hours, we will be able to pinpoint carriers and stop the spread. The vaccine will make a world of difference.
• a national strategy, Biden win
• Response to #1 I think cv 19 will be with us for the remainder of our lifetime. It will be something that we’ll learn to treat better and maybe some form of a vaccination will prove effective. #2 If we can fly on an airplane why can’t we go to church, movies or other venues using the same protocol.
• We need consistent leadership from the government. Rules, rules that everyone needs to abide by. I think we may need a full lockdown again as a restart. People need to listen to the experts.
• National Leadership - allowing the Medical experts lead the directives instead of the politics. A national mask mandate, learn to wash hands, and physical distancing to the best of your ability. As a nation we are very entitled and only want what we want with little regard for what is good for the whole. Until the politics of the politics is removed we will not see reclining numbers of CoVid 19, for another year at this rate.
• A vaccine. Also, regardless of election results, Donald Trump needs to stop sowing discontent among the never-mask-wearers. They are prolonging the pain.
• respect and consideration of others.
• One can only speculate on when we will return to "normal". the scientists have told us what we need to do to flatten the curve and stop the spread. not all segments of society have chosen to follow the recommendations. the pandemic and the social justice unrest has fostered a cottage industry of pundits writing about what life will be like post pandemic. some say there will be dramatic change, others say subtle change and still others say no change. and some say all of the above and others say non of the above. at this point it is pure speculation. much has been written about the future of cities, while they continue, will they be abandoned? what has not happened is that the pandemic and the social justice situation has not uncovered any new issues they have just put a spotlight on the issues we have not fully addressed. the question is will we do what needs to be done? and then continue to address climate change? i think this time we might collectively move forward.
• The first and most important step is to elect Biden by an overwhelming margin.
• An effective vaccine needs to be made widely available, and hopefully after early adopters demonstrate that it indeed works, other skeptics will also get the vaccine.
• Yet more testing, much better contact tracing, a US-wide policy that sets standards based on science, perhaps with stricter rules in states with high rates. (E.g., no schools should open, unless it's for younger grades and they are being taught outside). We reopened too soon. If we really wanted to quash this thing, we should return to lockdown for a month. We clearly won't end this across the country (even if states like Vermont do better) until we have a vaccine.
• Wearing masks, social distancing, banning mass gatherings, and increasing funding for medical research. Oh, and changing the President.
• LIsten to the advice of our most respected and informed medical advisors
• we need to push for a vaccine and continue the quarantining
• All the things the experts say, in spades: masking (a national mandate), physical distancing, testing and contact tracing, vaccine, treatments. Probably another shutdown in targeted areas where community spread is high/growing. But this country's political divide and malignant individualism makes this impossible.
• vaccine or almost martial law 15 day shutdown of country
• More people need to get the virus AND enough of the population needs to be inoculated so that we reach 50%+ herd immunity.
• Develop one or more highly effective vaccines and then vaccinate a majority of the world's population
• vaccination!
• a vaccine needs to be available and accessible for everyone

Nettleton Earns “Best of Show” for Magazine Writing in Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Awards

February 26, 2018

San Diego Press Club Executive Director Terry Williams presents Carl Nettleton with the best magazine story award in the environment category that also won best in show for all magazine stories in this 2017’s Excellence in Journalism competition.

Never having entered a writing competition before, even though I have been writing since high school (sports editor at La Jolla High and correspondent for the La Jolla Light while a student), I was surprised and honored that the San Diego Press Club honored me with two Excellence in Journalism awards for a story I wrote for Fortune in July 2016.

I entered the competition on a lark, thinking I might take third place in a category. Instead I was surprised and honored for the best environmental writing in a magazine and for “Best in Show” for more than thirty categories of magazine writing.

The awards were both based on a July 26, 2016, article in Fortune, “What the U.S. Presidential Candidates Are Missing in the Immigration Debate.” The story examined the role that climate change and drought will play in civil unrest and the development of factions like ISIS using the Syrian drought and conflict as an example.

For more of my stories on subjects ranging from sustainability to politics, click here.

Nettleton Insights - September 21, 2016

September 21, 2016

Climate change, clean technology, the economy and jobs. While you wouldn't know it from the presidential campaigns, great gains are being made in the clean energy economy. An August 8, 2016, report by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), “District Economic Facts From Climate Policies (California),” assessed the economic impacts of climate policy on each of California’s assembly districts. E2 says that $37 billion has flowed into the California cleantech economy since 2006, resulting in 500,000 jobs. This makes clean energy the fastest growing industry sector in the state, and California is the fastest growing economy in the country (tied with Oregon but California’s GDP is bigger). In a March 2016 report, “Clean Jobs America,” E2 determined that on the national level the U.S. now has 2.5 million clean energy jobs. A related story in GreenTechMedia asks why the mainstream media doesn’t seem to know clean energy jobs are growing rapidly in America.

Water innovation. Water continues to be of concern in the west, but the innovation economy is stepping up to the challenge. From low-flow showerheads to collecting water from the air, innovators are gaining ground. Some examples:

• Nebia has developed a low-flow showerhead (.7 gallons per minute) using jet engine technology that gives a great shower.
• Skywell has a system that can capture up to 100 gallons each day from the air.Ambient Water is developing a similar system in with UC San Diego.
• Envi has devised a system to wash cars at your location without water, using a natural product, and you call for the service with an app.
• Hittite Green Solutions uses waste heat to treat seawater and industrial waste water and can produce between 25,000 and 75,000 gallons per day.
• MillerCoors has reduced the amount of water needed to make a barrel of beer (31 gallons) from 3.88 to 3.01 barrels.
• The West Basin Municipal Water District has developed a multi-faceted water recycling program that develops five different types of water from groundwater replenishment to an ultrapure project for Chevron.
• The Orange County Sanitation District’s Groundwater Replenishment System is the world’s largest purification system for potable use, recycling waste water and injecting into an aquifer for use by the Orange County Water District.
• By 2030, the City of San Diego plans to recycle enough water to provide 53 million gallons each day and to supply that water directly through its reservoir system.
• The San Diego County Water Authority is supporting the Carlsbad Desalination Plant and developing projects that use lower cost solar and wind energy to pump water uphill to a storage reservoir. Later in the day, it sends the water downhill to a hydroelectric plant and sells the energy at a profit.

Is a true multi-party system in the works? Could the rancor in the Republican Partyand the push and pull between the two wings of the Democratic Party make it likely that one or more new parties will emerge after the elections?  Could moderate Republicans and Democrats come together as a middle-of-the-road party? Will there be a Trump Party if the Donald doesn’t win in November and traditional Republicans are able to take back their hijacked brand? Will Bernie Sanders lead a new Progressive Party given that the non-profit Our Revolution has formed, led by his former campaign manager? Evangelicals (think Ted Cruz) and Tea Party activists (Ron Paul) are other potential groups that could form parties. Even the Libertarians are gaining strength that could be a factor if the U.S. system becomes truly multi-party rather than a two-party system. See my May 16 story in Huffington Post about this subject.

Climate change and global civil disruption. The fighting in the Middle East has no end in sight, but international leaders are failing to recognize the role that climate change has played in that part of the world and will play elsewhere as climate impacts grow. The drought that began in Syria in 2006 resulted in the country becoming a net importer of wheat when previously it had been an exporter. More dangerously, 1.5 million people from farm communities migrated to camps outside of cities, most with no jobs, making them susceptible to recruitment by the Islamic State. See my story in Fortuneaddressing the issue and what could happen in other parts of the world as climate change creates drought, sea level rise, extreme storms and other impacts.

Trade benefits San Diego, the U.S. and Mexico. While trade and Mexico are both volatile topics on the campaign trail, San Diego, the U.S. and Mexico all continue to benefit from trade. The Wilson Institute says that forty cents of every dollar the U.S. spends to buy manufactured goods from Mexico comes back to the U.S. through the logistics chain. Every Toyota Tacoma in the U.S. is made in Tijuana, and on September 14 Toyota announced it plans to invest $150 million in Tijuana to make 50,000 more Tacoma pickups each year. This comes on the heels of the September 12 announcement by ICON Corporation that it will build a facility in Tijuana to manufacture composite airframe components for the company’s A5 aircraft, creating 1,000 jobs.  This is all part of the annual $6 billion in cross-border trade between Tijuana and San Diego. See my April 30 story in Huffington Post about trade benefits.

Recently Published Stories

• August 9, 2016, Huffington Post, "San Diego a Leader in Phones, Drones and Genomes: the TPP and Jobs of the Future," a look at the importance of international trade to San Diego.
• July 26, 2016, Fortune, "What the U.S. Presidential Candidates Are Missing in the Immigration Debate," examines the role that climate change and drought will play in civil disruption and the development of groups like the Islamic State using drought in Syria and conflict in the Middle East as an example.
• June 11, 2016, Huffington Post, "In the Move to Robot Vehicles, the Enemy Is Us," a story about the integration of automated vehicles using the road infrastructure if vehicles driven by people were eliminated.
• May 28, 2016, Huffington Post, "New Binational Research Institute Represents the Future for U.S. Mexico Relations," a story about the human side of the opening of the new Cali-Baja Center for Resilient Materials and Systems at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
• May 16, 2016, Huffington Post, "Could the U.S. Become a Multi-Party Nation?" the U.S. political system has always been dominated by two political parties, however, this year both the Democrats and Republicans have evolved into groups that could be imagined as new political parties.
• April 30, 2016, Huffington Post, "Presidential Campaigns Make U.S./Mexico Benefits Invisible," a story about the lack of visibility of cross border trade and culture during the presidential campaigns.
• April 23, 2016, Huffington Post, "Leaving 'The Rock,'" a story that asks if we are willing to move to a clean energy future metaphorically linked to my days as a UPS truck washer.
• March 25, 2016, Huffington Post, "A Kettle of Hawks and the Pundits Circled," a fun story relating the annual migration of Swainson's hawks with the 2016 presidential campaign.

Carl Nettleton

Carl Nettleton is an acclaimed writer, speaker, facilitator, and analyst. Nettleton Strategies is an environmental policy firm that specializes in oceans, all things water, energy, climate, and U.S./Mexico border issues. Carl also founded OpenOceans Global, a non-profit linking people to the world's oceans. He serves on the national and California advisory councils for Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a national, nonpartisan group of business owners, investors and others who advocate for policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. He is also active with the international Eye on Earth initiative and other business and environmental organizations. He regularly writes for the Huffington Post, the Independent Voter Network (IVN), and other publications.

Nettleton Insights SPECIAL EDITION - Annual Water Update

April 5, 2016

The Greatest Debate, the Best Presidential Debate

March 16, 2016

As a professional facilitator, I have been disappointed by the failure of moderators to better manage the 2016 presidential debates. A clear set of rules could help to avoid the disrespectful banter that has dominated the dialogue.

While recognizing the debates have become a source of entertainment, there is still time for a meaningful debate, if the media and the candidates are willing.

Two primary rules should be followed:

• The candidates should agree to respect the opinions of others even if they don’t embrace that point of view. The late Justice Anthonin Scalia said it best: “I respect the people who have them, but I think those views are just flat out wrong.”
• The moderator should never lose control of the microphone.

Candidates would be allowed to respectfully say “I don’t agree with the way the U.S. is handling this issue.” They would not be allowed to disrespectfully say “he is lying about that.”

To maintain respectful dialogue, the moderator should be able to mute the microphone of each candidate. The first time a candidate violates any rule, he or she is cut off for five minutes. The second time, the penalty is ten minutes. Five minutes would be added for each violation thereafter.

Given the disrespectful tenor of the past debates, these two additional rules should also apply:

• No references to other candidates, their policies, or the names of past presidents. For example, candidates should not say “I want to get rid of ObamaCare,” but would be allowed to say “the Affordable Care Act doesn’t achieve the health care reform we need. This is what’s wrong with it and what I would do to fix it.” This effectively would describe a point of view about the current status of healthcare without disparaging a person or personalizing policy. Similarly, they would not be allowed to allude to their opponents in a negative way. The purpose would be to focus on their own points of view instead of just blaming or praising others.
• Adjectives that provide an opinion would not be allowed. Given the current rancorous dialogue, this rule would remove the ability to describe a policy by just calling it “great” or to characterize a candidate by calling their hands “small.”

These are the questions and the progression of the debate that would make it work.

1. In place of an opening statement, what are the three most important professional positions you have held that qualify you to be president?
2. What are the three most important issues or problems that must be addressed or resolved? Describe your view about why each is a problem in no more than three sentences using facts.
3. What would this issue look like in the future if you could fix the problem?

The issues would be listed on the screen in the order that they were most frequently mentioned and discussed in that order. Each candidate be asked to list the three most important steps they would take to address the issue.

During the remaining time, candidates would debate the ideas for each issue, testing each other’s responses, but not personalizing them.

Closing comments would be limited to describing what they learned during the debate that will help them present their viewpoints to the American people during the rest of the campaign.

The debate should not be a party-centric. There are eight candidates remaining, three Republicans, three Democrats, one Green, and one Libertarian. Democrat Roque De La Fuente is on the ballot in all fifty states but has been ignored. Libertarian Gary Johnson, the former Governor of New Mexico, and Green candidate Jill Stein have also been invisible in the media.

De La Fuente, Johnson, and Stein have no chance of becoming president, but perhaps they have knowledge or points of view that would inform the dialogue. For example, De La Fuente is a major landowner on the Mexican border at San Diego and Johnson was the governor of a state bordering Mexico. They might provide some intelligent observations about border issues. Likewise, Jill Stein is a physician who might have thoughtful views on health care.

This debate format might attract and hold less viewers than those to-date, particularly those viewers who have been watching primarily to gape at the juvenile banter, but it would tell us more about the candidates and their ideas than we know now.

Two questions remain:

• Is there a major media outlet willing to host a great debate, the best debate, using these rules?
• Would the candidates participate if invited?

NOTE: This post first appeared in the Huffington Post on March 16, 2016.

Where In the West Are the Presidential Candidates?

March 3, 2016

As the presidential election cycle ramps up, the usual polarizations are apparent: blue states and red states, Tea Party vs. liberals, and right-to-life vs. choice. The new anti-establishment trend has firmly established itself with Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump gaining unexpected support.

However, another trend has gone unexplored by campaign analysts: the lack of candidates from the West.

The above map of all 2016 presidential candidates locates their city of residence and shows the South and the Northeast are well represented with well-known candidates, but the West doesn’t even have one with name recognition.

As defined by U.S. Census Bureau, the West has a population of 76 million, nearly 25 percent of the nation. Except for the Libertarian Gary Johnson from New Mexico and Democrat Roque De La Fuente from California, there are no candidates from the western half of the country. Both De La Fuente and Johnson are virtually unknown, have no access to debates, and might not be representative of the West even if they were to be heard. But we haven’t heard from them, so we don’t know.

As of February 21, 2016, ten candidates remained, and the map above of those remaining shows even more clearly the representation of candidates with name recognition from the South and the Northeast.

Every sitting president must take into account the needs of the populations of all the states. However, that accounting is shaped by the dialogue of the campaign season. Without strong, recognizable voices competing in the presidential campaign, even voices unlikely to win, the interests, issues and opportunities that come from the West will be less likely to be heard. As a result, western issues will be less likely to gain traction with the next administration.

“Without strong, recognizable voices competing in the presidential campaign, even voices unlikely to win, the interests, issues and opportunities that come from the West will be less likely to be heard.”

A good example is the immigration/border issue. The national agenda has focused on illegal immigration, closing the border, and striking fear into working class audiences about how illegal immigrants are taking U.S. jobs. A California point of view might ask how could the border be more open, how could we better take advantage of the synergies between our two economies, and how we can create programs that allow legal status to workers needed to fill seasonal positions so they aren’t considered criminals?

There are those who argue that U.S. workers won’t take jobs that are filled by immigrant workers. The discussion about how immigrant workers take low paying jobs does not rise to an understanding that workers who have crossed the border illegally have no way to object to low pay. There is no discussion about how pay levels might improve if those workers had legal status, even to the point where more U.S. workers would take some of those jobs. Whether these points of view are right or wrong the dialogue to bring clarity is missing.

Consumers and the businesses who hire undocumented immigrants likely benefit through lower labor costs and a resultant lower cost of goods and services, but at the expense of creating an illegal class of marginalized workers. This discussion is not on the table, in part because there are no candidates from the West who understand the immigration issues in a different way.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. is the largest import market for Mexico with $293 billion coming to the U.S. and Mexico is the second largest export market to the U.S. with $243 billion being exported to Mexico. Every dollar spent by the U.S. in trade with Mexico returns forty cents to the U.S. because the products Mexico exports to the U.S. contain a high percentage of U.S. components. Compare this to the exchange with China where only six cents is returned to the U.S. for each dollar spent on Chinese goods exported to the U.S. Where in the presidential debates is the dialogue on the importance of bringing manufacturing in China back to Mexico which would boost the economies of both Mexico and the U.S.? In addition, there would be global benefits in reducing carbon emissions and benefits to the U.S. companies outsourcing manufacturing because they would be closer to the manufacturing facilities. Who is talking about that?

The current relationship between the U.S. and Mexico has been forged through the High Level Economic Dialogue, an effort to place national priorities on cross-border transportation infrastructure, security, education and other issues of mutual importance. The educational initiative has a goal of 100,000 students from each country studying in the other country by 2020. This is intended to increase long-term relationships, cultural understanding and trade over time. With no western candidates, there are no voices to explain the strategy behind these initiatives or discuss whether it is important to the nation’s future.

From climate change and energy policy to water rights, there are viewpoints in the West that deserve focus in the campaign dialogue, but without western candidates to voice them, the silence is deafening.

NOTE;This article first appeared on LinkedIn on February 29, 2016, and later the same day on IVN.

Nettleton Insights SPECIAL EDITION – 2015 Water Update

April 19, 2015

As California moves into the 16th year of a drought pattern, it is more important than ever to stay up-to-date on the status of water and what is being done to address the impacts of low water supplies to the economy, the environment, and ability of various sectors from all regions to work together toward both short and long-term solutions. This special edition of “The Nett Report” is designed to give clients and friends an overview of the subject. Nettleton Strategies specializes in water and other issues relating to sustainability and resource use. If you need media relations, government relations, communications, or facilitation services regarding water or other issues, please contact us at: info@nettstrategies.com.

The State of the State’s Water

On April 1, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown announced a mandatory 25 percent reduction in water use throughout the state, excluding agriculture. Depending on past levels of conservation, communities will be required to achieve water savings of between 10 and 35 percent. The specifics of the proposed cutbacks can be visualized on this New York Times Interactive map. Some communities are likely to protest the levels of cutback. The details of the restrictions to help achieve these reductions can be found in this story from VOX. NBC San Diego created a short quizto help its viewers become aware of the restrictions. The photo at left is at the site of the press conference where Governor Brown made the announcement regarding the restrictions. The location where he is standing is adjacent to where the state’s snow pack is measured every year. April 1 is considered the date when the snow pack in the northern Sierras is at its peak. In a normal year, there would be five to six feet of snow on the ground where he is standing (see graph below).

How Low is California’s Snow Pack?As shown in the photo with Governor Brown above, the snow pack is essentially non-existent.  There is some snow in the Sierras, approximately 5 percent of average, but the graph below shows how this year compares to an average year, last year, the year before, the previous worst year (1976-1977), and the wettest year (1982-1983). A foot of snow fell in the Sierras early on the week of April 6 which will provide a small amount of additional supply (image courtesy of Department of Water Resources, California Data Exchange Center).

Understanding Reservoir Capacities

Media reports often use local reservoirs as a backdrop for drought stories, giving the impression that the levels of these reservoirs are indicative of the status of available water supply.  While local reservoirs play an important role in capturing San Diego’s limited rainwater, their primary role is as storage for the imported water that supplies more than 85 percent of the region’s supplies. To gain a sense of the relative size of reservoirs that are important to San Diego, please see the chart below displaying the capacities of four representative reservoirs and how imported water flows to and through them.

Both Lake Mead on the Colorado River and Lake Oroville in the northern Sierras provide water to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. One of the reservoirs receiving that water is Diamond Valley Lake, built in 1999 to help bolster Southern California reserve capacities. Diamond Valley is connected by aqueduct to San Diego, and the San Vicente Reservoir has recently been expanded to provide the largest local storage capacity.  From this chart, you can see that the reservoirs with the greatest water storage capacity are Lake Mead and Lake Oroville, however, each reservoir throughout the state’s water system plays an important role in capturing, storing and transferring water.

Where Are Reservoir Storage Levels Now?

Storage in Lake Mead on the Colorado River is hovering above the shortage level. Because that level has not yet been reached, California is receiving its full allocation of Colorado River water. Snow pack in the Rockies was below average this year, but not at record lows. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation projects there is a 21 percent chance the water level in Lake Mead will drop below the shortage level in 2016 and a 54 percent chance in 2017. Even if shortage rules go into effect, Arizona and Nevada are required to take the first cuts in supply. However, it is likely that California will help its neighboring states should that occur. Lake Oroville, the primary storage reservoir for the State Water Project, is at 66 percent of average and 51 percent of capacity. These numbers are not shocking in themselves except that with snow pack at an historic low, containing only five percent of average water content, there will be little snowmelt to replenish Oroville as the reservoir is drawn down during the summer. The graphic below illustrates the issue (image courtesy of Department of Water Resources, California Data Exchange Center).

  Colorado River Concern About Future Water Levels Results in New Hoover Dam Turbines

Although Colorado River supplies are not yet at shortage levels, last year the New York Times reported that the Colorado River and reservoirs from the Rockies to southern Arizona “are being sapped by 14 years of drought nearly unrivaled in 1,250 years.” Last year, for the first time, water released from Lake Powell to Lake Mead was decreased by ten percent, but those cutbacks did not affect Lake Mead allocations. The Times said that “studies now show that the 20th century was one of the three wettest of the last 13 centuries in the Colorado basin. On average, the Colorado’s flow over that period was actually 15 percent lower than in the 1900s. And most experts agree that the basin will get even drier.” Five new  turbines have been installed in the Hoover Dam to keep the power plant working with less water in the reservoir.

Is It a Four-Year Drought or a 16-Year Drought?

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Most news outlets have reported California is entering its fourth year of drought since 2011, a year with well above average precipitation.  However, many climate scientists agree that California has been in a drought pattern since 1999. Since that year there have been only two water years that have been significantly above average: 2011, as mentioned above, and 2006. To illustrate the situation, the image below shows Sacramento River runoff between 2002 and 2015. The 2000 and 2001 water years were also below average (image courtesy Metropolitan Water District of Southern California).

Is the Drought Due to Climate Change?

While climate change is projected to significantly change future weather and precipitation patterns, the current drought does not appear to be climate related. Most climate scientists attribute the drought to variability in annual precipitation patterns. In addition, there appears to be no linkage between either oceanic or climatic conditions that could account for the last two years of very limited precipitation. The culprit is a persistent high-pressure system (see image on the left) that has blocked storms from reaching Northern California and most of the West Coast. Known as the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge, this high-pressure system has forced storms north into the Arctic, and they have found their way back into the continental U.S.. creating the severe cold weather that has brought record-breaking snow to the eastern U.S. However, scientists admit that two consecutive record-breaking dry years is unusual. It is clear that climate change has exacerbated the drought. Record warm temperatures have caused what precipitation has reached the state to fall as rain rather than snow, contributing to the minimal snow pack. In addition, the heat dries the soil and vegetation, creating a greater chance of fire danger and increasing water use for irrigation in both urban and rural areas (image courtesy NOAA).

To further inform the conclusion that the last two years of historically low precipitation and the current drought are not part of a climate pattern, scientists also analyzed tree ring research which shows there have been a number of drought periods in history not unlike the current dry period. Here are some highlights of that research:

• 1580 – the driest single year in history when the estimated flow of the San Joaquin River was half of the 1976-77 water year.  1976-77 is considered the lowest flow year in the modern era.
• Mid-1100s –  marked by a rarity of wet years.
• Mid-1400s – a persistent drought when precipitation was less than the median for 13 consecutive years.
• 20th century – droughts longer than four years were not unusual.

This historical data was gathered from tree ring studies going back to 900 A.D., researched and published by the University of Arizona’s Laboratory of Tree Ring Research.

Finding Your Water Use Restrictions and Tips for Conserving Water

To find water use restrictions your water agency has implemented, the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) has created an agency locator. A link to each agency will take you to the page with the water restriction rules currently in place. You can also find information about ways to conserve water at the SDCWA web site and at each agency’s site. One quality product is the Water Authority’s “Guide to a WaterSmart Lifestyle.” This 140-page digital book is an interactive resource to water conservation and can be accessed on computer, tablet, or smartphone. The guide is in a flipbook format that allows you to move through the pages as if it were a real book. Interactive features allow users to share ideas on Facebook, electronically “pin” plant and garden photos for their followers, watch videos, and scroll through a library of images. The eGuide includes plant finders, interactive maps, animated graphics, landscape design tools, and details about rebates and incentives. The San Diego Union-Tribune has published a story, “33 Ways You Can Save Water Now,” that can also be helpful.

Nettleton Strategies Out and About on the Water IssueWith more than 30 years of experience with water issues, Nettleton Strategies continues to participate in water-related activities.  Here are some of the more recent highlights.

• Currently participating on the working group developing a curriculum for the CCO Training Bootcamp on “The Fundamentals of the Energy, Water & Food Nexus,” a component of the Climate Change Officer Certification for the Association of Climate Changer Officers.
• Interviewed regarding water conservation on NBC San Diego’s Politically Speaking with Equinox Center Executive Director Stephen Heverly. Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Dennis Cushman, were on the previous segment. March 29, 2015.
• Represented Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) in a roundtable discussion on the Water Energy Nexus convened by the California Senate Select Committee on Climate Change and AB32 Implementation chaired by Senator Fran Pavley. March 20, 2015.
• Presented “California Drought – a Big Picture Perspective with NIDIS Insights” at the University of San Diego’s University of the Third Age. January 15, 2015.
• Guest host and moderator for the Global Classroom “Resilient Cities – Designing Resilient Waste Systems” for the World Resources Simulation Center Summer Series 2014. July 31, 2014.
• Presented “California Drought – a Big Picture Perspective with NIDIS Insights” at the Water Conservation Action Committee, July 20, 2014, and at multiple other public venues.
• Facilitated “Making Stormwater Alternative Compliance Programs Work: Opportunities in Development, Funding and Partnering,” sponsored by Procopio, July 17, 2014. The event was a live interactive session with nearly 150 stormwater professionals including San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board Executive Officer David Gibson.
• Moderated the Public Policy Panel at San Diego World Affairs Council’s Climate Energy and Climate Change Symposium, May 14, 2015. Panel included Representative Scott Peters; Ambassador Reno Harnish, Director of the Center for Environment and National Security at Scripps Institution of Oceanography; and Gary Gero, President of the Climate Action Reserve.
• Interviewed by KPBS Evening Edition regarding the San Diego World Affairs Council Climate and Energy Symposium, May 12, 2014.
• Moderated the Water/Energy Nexus panel at the February 2014 Climate Leadership Conference hosted by theAssociation of Climate Change Officers.

Nettleton Strategies serves on the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Energy and Water Committee and on the leadership group for the Water Conservation Action Committee. Other current activities include working with clients or partners on municipal water conservation projects,financing concepts for water recycling, and developing a data analysis tool related to water, emissions and energy. If you need assistance with water regulations, moving your water-saving technology into the mainstream, or just connecting with the right people in the right places, please contact Nettleton Strategies (see below).

Nettleton Insights - July 29, 2013

July 29, 2013

"Nettleton Insights" shares information coming across our desktops with our clients and friends. We encourage you to share this report with your friends. For facilitation, analysis, insight, communications and connections, Nettleton Strategies​ is ready to help you! ​Please contact us at info@nettstrategies.com. ​

Turtles, Sharks, Food, and Wine Oh My!

The Living Coast Discovery Center is only seven minutes from downtown, but many people aren't even aware of its existence.  On August 3, this unique and unforgettable organization on San Diego Bay will host Chef Andrew Spurgin and a host of regional restaurants and breweries with a Farm to Bay feast not to be missed.  While you are there, you can visit Franklin the bald eagle, see Raptor Row, get up close with sea turtles and leopard sharks, and enjoy the company of people who value San Diego Bay and our unique coast.  See Caron Golden's recent foodie blog about the Discovery Center and Channel 8's Shawn Styles report that tells the whole story.  Click here for tickets.

Senate Bill 64 to Benefit Clean Technology Innovations

Nettleton Strategies has recently been helping our strategic partners in Sacramento, Clean Tech Advocates, gain support for Senate Bill 64  Last year, the Legislature enacted and the Governor signed into law the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Investment Plan and Communities Revitalization Act to provide a framework for use of the greenhouse gas auction revenues.  SB 64 is an important step, proposing a Clean Technology Investment Account within the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to ensure a portion of future auction revenues is available to fund development of innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Nexus Between Water, Energy and Emissions

Nettleton Strategies participated in a public forum on the nexus between water, energy and emissions presented by the Conservation Action Committee on July 8, 2013, at SDG&E's Energy Conservation Center.  Presentations ranged from a discussion of how to optimize energy use to incentives for water and energy conservation.  The Nettleton Strategies presentation provided an overview of how policy decisions in water affect energy and emissions and vice versa. An example focused on the priority rights to Upper Colorado River Basin water held by interests that plan to develop oil shale in the Colorado, Utah and Wyoming high country.

South County Economic Development Council

Nettleton Strategies has joined the South County Economic Development Council.  This highly-effective non-profit organization was formed in 1989 by a group of South San Diego County business and community leaders, to promote education and encourage economic development in the South San Diego County Region.  Member cities include Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, San Diego, San Diego County, and the Port of San Diego.  The organization works with partners in Baja and promotes bi-national economic development with the cities of Mexicali, Tijuana, Tecate, Rosarito, and Ensenada. Among its many programs, the organization is undertaking a project to shape a vision for the South County region.

Dr. Margaret Leinen Named New SIO Director

Scripps Institution of Oceanography has appointed a new leader.  San Diego's pre-eminent ocean research organization named Dr. Margaret Leinen as Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Dean of the School of Marine Sciences. Dr. Leinen is a highly distinguished, award-winning oceanographer and an accomplished executive with extensive national and international experience in ocean science, global climate and environmental issues, federal research administration, and non-profit startups. She is currently the Vice Provost for Marine and Environmental Initiatives and Executive Director of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, a unit of Florida Atlantic University. She is a researcher in paleo-oceanography and paleo-climatology. Her work focuses on ocean sediments and their relationship to global biogeochemical cycles and the history of Earth’s ocean and climate. Leinen replaces Tony Haymet, who served as UC San Diego Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences from 2006 until his retirement from the administrative post at the end of 2012. 

San Marcos General Plan Is Top Esri Conference Map 

Each year 15,000 people gather at the San Diego Convention for a week at the Esri conference, including a competition between map makers competing to be the best in their category.  This year, the competition resulted in the City of San Marcos taking first place for the map of its general plan. The map was created by  the City's Mettja Kuna. Mettja's map took First Place in the “Map Series or Atlas – In-House Copy” category and was also the “Best Overall.” Esri is the world leader in mapping software and "inspires and enables people to positively impact the future through a deeper, geographic understanding of the changing world around them."

Nettleton Insights - December 12, 2012

December 12, 2012

Nettleton Insights Is Back! We've been on hiatus for a number of months, but now the Nett Report is back in a new simpler-to-read format, both for smart phones and browsers. We've also created a new Nettleton Strategies web page where you can: where you can:

• Learn about our work, services and expertise.
• Check out the Natural Hazards Map with real time access to hurricanes, volcanoes, wildfires and earthquakes around the globe. The map is an example of how Nettleton Strategies can provide intelligent mapping services.

Please remember that for facilitation, analysis, insight, communications and connections, Nettleton Strategies is ready to help you!

Climate Change

What does climate change have to do with baseball? In baseball, batters using steroids hit more and longer home runs. No individual home run can be attributed to steroids since the baseball players were capable of hitting homers without the assistance of steroids. In the same way, no given storm can be attributed to climate change. But statistically, the intensity and number of storms will likely be more because of climate change, just like baseball players on steroids hit more home runs and hit them farther. This Business Week story places more light on the subject of "theweather-on-steroids." Scripps Institution of Oceanography researcher Dr. Richard Somerville also shared the story on KPBS.In baseball, batters using steroids hit more and longer home runs. No individual home run can be attributed to steroids since the baseball players were capable of hitting homers without the assistance of steroids. In the same way, no given storm can be attributed to climate change. But statistically, the intensity and number of storms will likely be more because of climate change, just like baseball players on steroids hit more home runs and hit them farther. This Business Week story places more light on the subject of "theweather-on-steroids." Scripps Institution of Oceanography researcher Dr. Richard Somerville also shared the story on KPBS.

Interactive Sea Level Map. The New York Times recently published an interactive map that shows how sea level rise could affect various cities if the rise was anywhere from 0 feet to 25 feet. The State of California’s official projections assume a 55 inch rise by 2100, nearly five feet.

Oceans

OpenOceans Global. We spent most of the summer and fall focused on developing funding for OpenOceans Global, the non-profit, non-advocacy organization dedicated to creating an international, cross-sector ocean community focused on aggregating and creativly displaying the world's ocean data. Please check out the web site and blog and consider an end-of-the year contribution to the development of this international institution!

Human Genome Project for the Ocean. An OpenOceans Global article, "From Fear to Hope, A Human Genome Project for the Ocean," recently appeared in Hydro International, a global ocean industry publication reaching 20,000 readers in addition to its online reach. The article focused on the importance of the use of maps to tell the stories of ocean research.

Hawaii Ocean Research and Economic Development. We recently visited the Natural Energy Laboratory on the Big Island of Hawaii. The 322-acre facility brings 41 degree (Fahrenheit) water from 3,000 feet below the surface of the ocean and warm surface water ranging between 76 to 81 degrees to the facility. The original intent was to create energy from the temperature differential, but now the facility has expanded to 40 tenants, ranging from alternative energy, to aquaculture, to research and more. The state facility next to Kona International Airport generates more than $45 million in annual economic impact, creating more than 300 jobs and high value exports.

The Perpetual Ocean. If you are interested in the ocean and haven’t seen the Perpetual Ocean video by NASA, it is sure to intrigue you. The video combines several years of data to visualize current patterns on the world’s oceans.

Floating Windmills Off California Coast? The Department of Energy (DOE) is scheduled to make a decision on whether to allow a pilot program using floating wind turbines off the coast of California. DOE in March unveiled a six-year, $180 million research initiative to support deployment of offshore wind technologies that have potential for lowering the cost of energy below 10 cents per kilowatt hour. This is the threshold at which DOE believes the sector can compete with other regional generation sources without subsidies.

Energy

Solar Boat Sails Into the Record Books. A Swiss adventurer has circumnavigated the globe in 585 days on a 98-foot yacht powered solely by the sun. Raphael Domjan’s boat, "Turanor," has enough photo-voltaic panels to cover two tennis courts.The journey was designed “to show the world that this technology is not science fiction, it is very real and it can help us change how we do things now rather than in the future," Domjan said.

E2 Reports. Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a national community of business leaders who promote sound environmental policy that builds economic prosperity, has released several reports in recent weeks addressing biofuels and energy jobs. These include: "The Econonomic Benefits of Military Biofuels," "Third Quarter Clean Energy Jobs Roundup," and "An Advanced Biofuel Market Fact Sheet and Report."

Energy Resources Web Sites. Two web sites we recently learned about provide valuable information regarding the status of various energy resources around the world. Developed in part by National Geographic, Energy Realities is a site that provides visualizations about the world’s energy resources. Domestic Fuels has created a mapping report: “State by State Resource for Renewable Energy.”

Water

Rains and Lake Oroville. Recent rains in Northern California have begun to have an effect on water supplies. Because of its prominence in the State Water Project system, Lake Oroville is a good indicator of the status of water supplies for the coming year. Recent northern California rainfall has spiked the reservoir water levels upward from a drought projection back to more average water levels. The Department of Water Resources projects 30 percent of requested deliveries will be provided by the State Water Project next year, an estimate that could increase depending on precipitation.

Water Privatization Pro and Con. The Wall Street Journal recently published a thoughtful pro and con article about privatizing water utilities. Neither of the two policy experts saw privatization as a panacea, but each discussed the benefits and downsides.

The Economy

1972 Report Might be Right. A Smithsonian analysis of a 1972 report called “The Limits of Growth,” says there is validity to the report’s projection that the world economy could collapse by 2030. At the time, economists disagreed with the report. The new analysis by Australian physicist Graham Turner says that “we are not on a sustainable track” but that could change “if governments forged policies and invested in technologies to regulate the expansion of humanity’s ecological footprint.”

Nettleton Insights - July 12, 2011

July 12, 2011

Quote of the Week - "If people were meant to pop out of bed, we'd all sleep in toasters."  - Garfield the cat

"Nettleton Insights" shares information coming across our desktops with clients and friends of Nettleton Strategies LLC. In turn, we encourage you to share this report with your friends and associates. If "Nettleton Insights was forwarded to you, please sign up by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. You can also remove your name from the Nettleton Insights" list if you don't want to receive it in the future. Your comments are welcome at info@nettstrategies.com.

Worth Seeing

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography has a new high-definition camera on the end of Scripps Pier.  Watch surfers, the surf and the occasional dolphin from your laptop.
• Don't miss this video of a seagull that stole a running camera and flew away!

Along the Border

• The U.S. Good Neighbors Environmental Board recently met in San Diego.  The group advises the President and Congress on environmental and border issues.  The meeting included a number of presentations about border-related clean energy projects.

Water

• A July 1 New York Times article reports that flooding is inevitable in the Sacramento Delta and calls the region "the most flood-prone" in the U.S.
• According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, as of June 8, only about 50% of the accumulated snowpack for 2011 had melted in the Colorado River Basin. There is still significant snowpack within the basin which will support high flows into the reservoirs over the next 2 months (large pdf report, might take some time to download).
• National Geographic Magazine has developed an online interactive map with accompanying stories to explain the status of the Colorado River and how it supplies water to the west.

Climate Change

• Author Terry Gerlach from the U.S. Geological Survey provides a comparison of carbon dioxide from human activities and volcanoes in the American Geophysical Union's EOS Magazine.NOAA's Carbon Tracker You Tube video shows a visualization of the increase in atmospheric carbon first using the Keeling Curve data set and then gas analysis from ice cores.

Transportation

• NBC News reports that "U.S. High Speed Rail Is Slower Than a Speeding Bullet" in a June 30 story.
• An Idaho company, Solar Roadways, took first place in the second round of GE's Ecoimagination contest for a concept to transform the nation's roadways into a source of solar-powered electrical generation.

Energy and Sustainability

• AOL Energy reports that IBM has successfully implemented a smart grid on Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean south of Italy.  The project could be a model for smart grid implementation in the U.S.
• The world's largest marine tidal-powered turbine is expected to produce 6,000 megawatts of power annually from the waters off Scotland, according to Marine Insight, a maritime technology website.  Addtional turbines are to be installed in the Bay of Fundy and Vancouver, British Columbia.
• San Diego has been named one of the top ten most climate-ready cities in the country by CO2 Impact.  The organization says climate-ready cities are "the big U.S. cities leading the way, based on political commitment, green buildings, university leadership, transit, greenhouse-gas emissions, cleantech investment, and energy."

Nettleton Insights - February 9, 2011

February 9, 2011

Quote of the Week - "Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy........than to fumble THIS football" - John Heisman 

"Nettleton Insights" shares information coming across our desktops with our clients and friends.  We encourage you to share this report with your friends and associates. Your comments are welcome at info@nettstrategies.com.

Free Diving with Great Whites

In case you need a little more excitement in your life, perhaps free diving with great white sharks in Baja California at Guadalupe Island would take care of that urge.  Fortunately for your loved ones, the providers of this video are not offering the opportunity commercially.

Meeting Jane Goodall in Abu Dhabi

While attending a recent environmental data conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Carl Nettleton had a chance to meet Jane Goodall.  Dr. Goodall wowed the crowd with her encouraging talk about teaching environmental education to students.  She tells students to reach for the stars. "Even if you don't make the stars, you might make the moon!" she said.  Dr. Goodall is internationally respected for her research work with chimpanzees in Africa and has extended that work to environmental education.

San Diego Lead Task Force Honored by USEPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has honored the Lead Poisoning Prevention Citizen’s Advisory Task Force for ensuring the protection of children from the threat of lead-based paint and dust in San Diego.

Presidential Primary Updates Available at IVN 

The Independent voter Network (IVN.us) publishes a daily update about the status of the presidential candidates as well as other political news.  With the new California Open Primary coming up in June, IVN's parent, the Independent Voter Project, has published an open primary guide for voters and a guide for candidates.  The candidate guide is extremely timely since the filing period for candidates opens on February 13 and, for the first time, candidates in the June primary are not officially affiliated with parties but only indicate their party preference, if any.

Solar Zones Suggested to Encourage Industry Growth

A San Francisco venture capital firm has suggested that creating solar zones could spur development of the solar industry.

Forbes Criticizes Wall Street Journal Climate Coverage

A recent Forbes article takes on the Wall Street Journal for editorial bias when writing about climate change. 

San Diego Visioning Deadline Extended

The deadline for the San Diego Foundation's visioning process (Show Your Love for a Greater San Diego Vision) has been appropriately extended to Valentines Day, February 14, 2012.

Study Finds Emissions Reporting Ups Stock Value

A U.C. Davis study has found that the stock value of public companies goes up when they disclose green house emissions and carbon reduction strategies.

Growth Council Releases 2012-2014 Plan

The State of California's Strategic Growth Council has released its Strategic Plan 2012-2014. The plan calls for "a profoundly different" future than the past.

Reports Say Iran Electricity to Go to Iraq and Others

According to reports on the Global Energy Network Institute website, agreements to move electricity from Iran to Iraq have been been made by those nations.  Another report says that Iran will be sending electricity to the European Union through a new electricity line passing through Armenia and Georgia.  A power line to Russia is also being considered.