California Adaptation Strategy Released

A first-of-its-kind multi-sector strategy to help guide California's efforts in adapting to climate change impacts is available below.

In cooperation and partnership with multiple state agencies, the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy summarizes the best known science on climate change impacts in seven specific sectors and provides recommendations on how to manage against those threats. This is the first iteration of this strategy, following from a 45-day public comment period which closed September 17, 2009.

Led by the California Natural Resources Agency, numerous other state agencies were involved in the creation of the strategy including Environmental Protection; Business, Transportation and Housing; Health and Human Services; and the Department of Agriculture. This report focuses on sectors that include: Public Health; Biodiversity and Habitat; Ocean and Coastal Resources; Water Management; Agriculture; Forestry; and Transportation and Energy Infrastructure.

The strategy is in direct response to Gov. Schwarzenegger's November 2008 Executive Order S-13-08 that specifically asked 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.