Called the 2024 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, the document was directed by AB 1384 and is designed to accelerate California’s climate adaptation efforts across various sectors and policy arenas in California.
Press release from the California Natural Resources Agency
Starting this week, California state climate leaders invite public feedback on the 2024 Climate Adaptation Strategy, which outlines California’s approach to adapting to a changing climate.
As weather extremes intensify, data and research from around the world continue to show that the planet is experiencing a rapidly changing climate, and that this will only accelerate over time. In California and the Southwestern U.S., specifically, we see:
- Higher temperatures have intensified drought and will lead to a more arid future. Extreme heat events will increase animal stress and reduce crop quality and yield, thereby resulting in widespread economic impacts.
- At the same time, the region is experiencing more intense precipitation events, including atmospheric rivers, which contribute to increased flooding.
- Large-scale marine heatwaves and harmful algal blooms causing profound and cascading impacts on marine coastal ecosystems and economies.
- Sea-level rise, along with associated impacts such as flooding and saltwater intrusion, will have severe and disproportionate effects on infrastructure, communities, and natural resources.
- High-severity wildfires are expected to continue in coming years, placing the people, economies, ecosystems, and water resources of the region at considerable risk. In recent years, the Southwest has experienced unprecedented wildfire events, driven in part by climate change.
- Increases in extreme heat, drought, flooding, and wildfire activity are negatively impacting the physical health of Southwest residents.
- The most vulnerable bearing the brunt of a changing climate. Individuals particularly vulnerable to increasing climate change impacts include older adults, outdoor workers, and people with low income.
CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY: A ROADMAP FOR THE COMING YEARS
To respond to these realities, California continues its world-leading work to protect people and nature from the impacts of climate change—and the state’s swift action is reflected in historic climate investments, nation-leading targets and goals, and support for California’s most vulnerable communities. The Draft 2024 Climate Adaptation Strategy puts these actions in motion and advances six key priorities to drive all climate resilience actions in California. These include:
- Strengthening protections for climate vulnerable communities;
- Bolstering public health and safety to protect against increasing climate risks;
- Building a climate-resilient economy;
- Accelerating Nature-Based Climate Solutions and strengthening climate resilience of natural systems;
- Making decisions based on the best available climate science;
- Partnering and collaborating to leverage resources
Across these six priorities, progress continues to be measured and reflected through a range of metrics, which were included for the first time in California’s 2021 Climate Adaptation Strategy and are now being tracked over time and reflected in annual progress reports. Progress updates on all the 2021 Strategy’s metrics can be found here: https://climateresilience.ca.
THE STRATEGY AS A MILE MARKER OF PROGRESS
The draft strategy document for public review is also a mile marker in charting what’s been accomplished and what still lies ahead. To date, many state entities have successfully piloted new processes and partnerships to advance resilience since the 2021 strategy, including improvements in engagement, consultation, technical assistance, and capacity building.
The 2024 draft also integrates key actions from California’s latest climate adaptation initiatives, such as the 2021 Extreme Heat Action Plan and California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future.
THE DETAILS
This week kicks off a public comment period for the public to review, provide feedback and submit input by July 12, 2024.
The State requests feedback to improve and finalize the 2024 Climate Adaptation Strategy, particularly through the lens of supporting California’s most climate vulnerable communities.
In addition to this formal public comment period, staff will host tribal roundtables and public workshops to solicit and gather input.
For more information on this work or for details about upcoming opportunities to learn more, please visit the California Natural Resources Agency’s California Climate Adaptation Strategy web page or the main California Climate Adaptation Strategy website.
Comments can be e-mailed to climateresilience@resources.
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The mission of the California Natural Resources Agency is to restore, protect and manage the state’s natural, historical and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration, and respect for all the communities and interests involved.
