Last November, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked state agencies to develop a climate strategy, and yesterday the state’s Natural Resources Agency released a comprehensive report compiled from members of the Climate Action Team that outlines recommended adaptations in seven sectors that include Public Health; Biodiversity and Habitat; Ocean and Coastal Resources; Water Management; Agriculture; Forestry; and Transportation and Energy Infrastructure. The team looked at ways to minimize the damage that is expected from sea level rise, storm surges, drought, increased flooding, heat waves, and more frequent wildfires. The report is the nation’s first statewide plan that suggests ways to adapt behavior to mitigate the effects of climate change, with the recognition that failure to act will mean that the costs are more severe.
Among the report’s key recommendations are:
- changes in water management and uses to reduce per-capita water use by 20 percent by 2020
- avoiding significant development in areas that can’t be protected from sea-level rise, storm surges or coastal erosion
- develop a plan for land and aquatic habitats that could see significant change, and consider expanding or altering protected areas and management practices
- assess public health impacts of climate change, including assessments of land use, housing and transportation that could affect health
- meet increased energy demand from population growth with energy conservation and increased renewable energy
You can view the full draft report here. The public is invited to make comments to the draft until Sept. 17, via e-mail to adaptation@resource.ca.gov. Public hearings will be held in Sacramento on Aug. 13 and in Los Angeles on a later date.
