Our Blue Backyard

March 2025

An Interview with Professor Daniel Fernandez

At California State University Monterey Bay, Professor Daniel Fernandez has been chasing fog for over two decades. Through his pioneering work with fog collectors and sensors, he not only studies this vital coastal phenomenon but also partners with communities to explore fog’s role as a sustainable water source. Here are excerpts from my interview with him:

Q: As the Earth warms, do you expect fog to increase in coastal places like Monterey or San Francisco?
Fernandez: Most studies suggest fog will decrease in the long term. In the short term, though, there’s variability depending on elevation, latitude, and exposure to wind. Some years and locations may see more fog than others without a clear pattern.

Q: Have you done fog collection work in San Francisco?
Fernandez: Yes, though not directly with the city. There have been deployments near Sutro Tower, at SF State, and even on top of a shoe store in 2023. The success depends heavily on location—proximity to the ocean is key.

Fog collection is happening from California to Chile — it’s even being used for agriculture, fisheries, and brewing beer! Dr. Fernandez’s research is part of a new frontier of work to capture our current water resources economically, in a way that will protect drought-prone regions in the future.