In an unprecedented move, Southern California officials last week declared a water shortage emergency. Outdoor water use is now restricted to just one day a week for 6 million people in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. As policy, the move makes sense. But the science shows that Southern California’s water shortage can only get worse. Is “emergency” the proper term here? Or does it create false hope for a day when the emergency is over? Host Ethan Brown reflects on why it might be best to acknowledge the tough reality and place the emphasis on strategic, collaborative, money-saving water conservation solutions in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”

For more information, see the companion “Tip of the Iceberg” essay here.