Climate change mitigation means reducing or sequestering
greenhouse gases, whereas adaptation is preparing for the
unavoidable impacts of climate change. Over the coming century,
some climate change studies, such as the 2009 California
Adaptation Strategy, project that Southern California will be
expected to manage extremes of precipitation and temperature,
increased storm frequency and intensity, and sea-level rise.
These climate changes would impact streamflow,
flooding, water supply, sea level, and soil water content. These
impacts would affect agriculture, stormwater,
waste-water treatment, wildfire risk, roads, forest health, and
biodiversity. These impacts will also have consequences for
public health, economic livelihoods, the financial sector, the
insurance industry, individual comfort, and recreation.
Failure to anticipate and plan for climate variability and the
prospect of extreme weather and related events could have serious
impacts on the regional economy and quality of life. Starting now
and continuing in the years and decades ahead, we can adapt to
these risks through resilient resource and land use choices.
