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California Climate Adaptation Strategy
Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Executive Order Directing State
Agencies to
Plan for Sea Level Rise and Climate Impacts (November 14,
2008)
Given the serious threat of sea level rise to California's water supply and coastal resources and the impact it would have on our state's economy, population, and natural resources, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Order (EO) S-13-08 to enhance the state's management of climate impacts from sea level rise, increased temperatures, shifting precipitation, and extreme weather events. Implementation of the Governor's Executive Order involves, among other mandates, the completion of several deliverables including a sea level rise assessment report (in progress), a preliminary transportation systems vulnerability assessment (PDF file 726 kb), land-use planning guidelines, and finally a state climate adaptation strategy, to which this website is dedicated. For full text of the Executive Order: http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/11035/
With the passage and implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), California is leading the way in the mitigation of climate change through reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In concert with these efforts, the California Resources Agency has undertaken the complicated task of developing California's first comprehensive Climate Adaptation Strategy (CAS). A new priority in the climate change arena, adaptation promises to offer solutions to climate impacts as a result of past and current emissions. Consequently, our efforts to adapt to expected climate change impacts through careful planning and preparation must occur in parallel to ongoing mitigation efforts.
How Will Climate Change Affect California?
California is experiencing significant climate change impacts, including shifting precipitation patterns, increasing temperatures, sea level rise, increasing severity and duration of wildfires, earlier melting of snow pack and effects on habitats and biodiversity. These and other effects are predicted to intensify in the coming decades and significantly impact the state's public health, natural and manmade infrastructure (see San Francisco Airport at one meter of sea level rise at right) and ecosystems. Some uncertainty remains regarding exactly how these impacts will occur, but there is enough information now to increase our resiliency to these impacts.
Why Develop A Strategy Now?
Billions of dollars are spent annually to build infrastructure, purchase sensitive habitat and fight wildfires. Implementing adaptation strategies will improve these efforts and will be cheaper than acting at the last minute. In addition, the Governor's Executive Order S-3-05 requests a report on adaptation efforts.
What Is the Climate Adaptation Strategy (CAS) ?
To prepare for the expected impacts of climate change, California is developing a statewide CAS in coordination with efforts targeting greenhouse gas mitigation policies. The CAS will synthesize the most up-to-date information on expected climate change impacts to California for policy-makers and resource managers, provide strategies to promote resiliency to these impacts and develop implementation plans for short and long term actions.
Who Will Coordinate The CAS?
The California Resources Agency will coordinate the CAS with California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA); the Climate Action Team; the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency; California Department of Public Health; and other key stakeholders.
What Are The Climate Adaptation Working Groups?
The CAS will have six different Climate Adaptation Working Groups that will identify and prioritize climate adaptation strategies on a per-sector basis, including:
- Biodiversity and Habitat
- Infrastructure (roads, levees, buildings, etc.)
- Oceans and Coastal Resources
- Public Health
- Water
- Working Landscapes (forestry and agriculture)
How Will Climate Change Science Inform The CAS?
The CAS process will incorporate peer-reviewed scientific information gathered from a host of scientists from around the world, funded largely by the California Energy Commission. The CAS process will include research garnered from the experience of other cities, states, and countries.
CAS = Climate Adaptation Strategy
CAT = Climate Action Team
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For information on California's Climate Adaptation Strategy efforts, please contact:
Kurt Malchow
(916) 653-6333
E-mail: Kurt.Malchow@resources.ca.gov