Los Angeles just showed how spongy a city can be

This story, originally published by WIRED and part of the Climate Desk collaboration, recounts how Los Angeles recently experienced extreme rainfall due to an atmospheric river. The city, embracing the transformation into a “sponge city,” has implemented strategies like replacing impermeable surfaces with permeable ones and building spreading grounds to capture stormwater. By capturing 8.6 billion gallons of stormwater, L.A. demonstrates its readiness for more rain in the future amidst changing climate conditions. The city uses innovative techniques like green spaces and underground aquifers to store captured water, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient urban landscape. Other cities like Pittsburgh are also adopting similar practices, showing a shift towards more efficient stormwater management in the face of escalating weather events.