California Climate Adaptation Strategy Released

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://resources.ca.gov/docs/2009_California_Climate_Adaptation_Strategy_Discussion_Draft_Final_Release_8-3-09.pdf

For Immediate Release: Aug. 3, 2009 Contact: Sandy Cooney
[phone]

California Climate Adaptation Strategy Released

Discussion Draft Announcement Triggers 45-Day Public Comment Period


Sacramento, Calif. — California's Natural Resources Agency today released a comprehensive plan to guide adaptation to climate change, becoming the first state to develop such a strategy. The 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy Discussion Draft summarizes the latest science on how climate change could impact the state, and provides recommendations on how to manage against those threats in seven sector areas. Today’s release sets in motion a 45-day public comment period.

“In keeping with the Governor’s effort to fight climate change head on, re-examining the way we work and making adjustments accordingly is in many ways the most important thing we can do,” said Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman. “Of all the difficult challenges that we’ve faced on this planet, environmental or otherwise, the greatest positive influence has happened when people acknowledge the problem, recognize their role in solving that problem and alter their behavior so that the change lasts. Adapting to climate change is a fundamental example of this principle”

Adaptation is a relatively new concept in California climate policy. The term generally refers to response efforts that combat the impacts of climate change – adjustments in natural or human systems to actual or expected climate changes in order to minimize harm or take advantage of opportunities.

In addition to Natural Resources, the state agencies involved in developing the draft strategy include Environmental Protection, Business, Transportation and Housing, Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture. The discussion draft focuses on seven different sectors that include: Public Health; Biodiversity and Habitat; Ocean and Coastal Resources; Water Management; Agriculture; Forestry; and Transportation and Energy Infrastructure. The strategy is a direct response to Gov. Schwarzenegger’s November 2008 Executive Order S-13-08 that specifically asks to the Natural Resources Agency to identify how state agencies can respond to rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, sea level rise, and extreme natural events. As data continues to be developed and collected, the state’s adaptation strategy will be updated to reflect current findings.

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