General Mills, Driscoll’s, Coca-Cola & KB Home Launch Business Campaign Urging Bolder Strategies to Conserve Water

As California’s devastating drought enters its fourth year, and farmers face a second consecutive year with reduced surface water supplies, a diverse coalition of global businesses with significant supply chains or operations in California today announced Connect the Drops, a new campaign urging aggressive measures to maximize California's local and state water resources.

Launched by Ceres, a nonprofit sustainability advocacy organization, the campaign centers on a public declaration, signed by The Coca-Cola Company, Driscoll’s, Gap Inc., General Mills, KB Home, Levi Strauss and Co. and Symantec.  More companies are expected to join the effort in the coming weeks and months.  The declaration states:

We cannot risk our state’s economic future by relying on outdated water management practices, policies and infrastructure.  Now is the time for fresh thinking, shared purpose and bold solutions to build a resilient water future for all Californians.  And it is incumbent on us—the business community—to help lead the way.

“Driscoll’s roots in California stretch back nearly 150 years in the Pajaro Valley where Driscoll’s originated,” said Kelley Bell, VP of Social and Environmental Impact, Driscoll’s, the world’s largest berry company.  “As a family-owned company that is highly dependent on groundwater, we recognize that our future hinges on reliable water sources.  Without good water stewardship our communities will suffer and the future economy of California will be bleak.  We joined Ceres campaign because we are not alone in facing this challenge or in recognizing the threat, and the solution will only come from a shared understanding of the problem and a willingness to address it together.”

Currently 93 percent of California is categorized as being in a severe, extreme or exceptional drought.  The state’s agriculture economy lost more than $2.2 billion in 2014, and farmers left more than half a million acres of fields unplanted.

“Water is an issue we can no longer take for granted – whether we are looking at supply reliability, environmental protection, or water quality.  Fortunately, there are solutions within reach for the challenges we face.  The business community’s voice in elevating the issues – through efforts like Connect the Drops – is hugely important for the future of our state’s economy and well-being,” said Felicia Marcus, Chair, State Water Resources Control Board.

Companies signing on to the campaign agree to 1) make and implement business commitments to support the state’s action plan for water conservation, and 2) engage with policymakers, employees, customers and their peers on improving water management and enhancing water efficiency.

Read more at General Mills, Driscoll’s, Coca-Cola & KB Home Launch Business Campaign Urging Bolder Strategies to Conserve Water