New NRDC report details climate change impacts on California

• The frequency of extreme heat and prolonged drought are already increasing.
• In the future, with climate change, average temperatures in the state could rise anywhere from 4.7-10.5°F (2.6-5.8°C) by late century.
• Californians will experience greater exposure to public health threats such as heat-related sickness, air pollution, and water scarcity.
• California has a strategy to prepare for the health impacts of climate change. The cities of Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Rafael have also identified local climate change-related health threats.

Air Pollution:

California's strategy to prepare for climate change includes measures to identify, track, and address climate related vulnerabilities, such as reducing air pollution in "hot spots."

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH) should provide tools for use by local health departments, other agencies, and CBOs to identify and reduce climate-related vulnerabilities; increased efforts to reduce air pollution in "toxic hot spots" would decrease vulnerability to the health effects of increased air pollution with rising temperatures.
• Expand the Electronic Death Reporting System for the continuous monitoring of asthma.
• CDPH should conduct detailed vulnerability assessments for all the leading climate change health outcomes.

Extreme Heat:

California's strategy to prepare for climate change includes measures to develop heat-warning systems, improve outreach systems, and identify and reduce vulnerabilities to extreme heat. The cities of Berkeley and Los Angeles have adopted a strategy that includes measures to protect and increase urban trees to help cool the city in the face of extreme heat threats.

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH) should provide tools for use by local health departments, other agencies, and CBOs to identify and reduce climate-related vulnerabilities; identification of urban heat islands could lead to targeted efforts to increase shading and reduce heat-reflecting pavement through expansion of parks and community gardens.
• Improve outreach to vulnerable populations, such as residents in urban heat islands.
• Work with the CDPH Emergency Preparedness Office, CalEMA, and local health and emergency response agencies to develop heat warning systems for regions of the state that have not yet adopted them.
• The city of Los Angeles should reduce the heat island effect by planting 1 million trees throughout the city and increasing open space.

Infectious Disease:

California's strategy to prepare for climate change includes a measure to identify vulnerabilities to the spread of infectious diseases with climate change, such as Valley Fever.

Drought:

California's strategy to prepare for climate change includes measures that focus on ensuring adequate water availability during times of drought but does not include specific public health-related preparedness steps. The city of Berkeley's strategy includes a city focused climate change vulnerability assessment that will include assessing water resources, and Los Angeles has a measure to prepare for increased drought conditions.

Flooding:

California's strategy to prepare for climate change includes a measure to improve emergency response plans to respond to increased risks of flooding due to climate change.

USEFUL LINKS

State of California Climate Change Portal

NRDC Hotter & Drier - The Wests Changed Climate