More than Information, What California's Coastal Managers Need to Plan for Climate Change

California’s coastlines are vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and sea‐level rise. Coastal managers at local, regional, state, and federal levels will need to plan and implement adaptation measures to cope with these consequences.  This study explored the information needs of California’s coastal managers, who confront the growing risks from climate change. It examined the challenges managers face presently, what information they use to perform their responsibilities, and what additional information and other knowledge resources they may need to begin planning for climate change. This study was conducted in the broader context of how science can best support policy makers and resource managers. Based on extensive interview and survey research in the state, researchers found that managers prefer certain types of information and information sources and would benefit from various learning opportunities (in addition to that information) to better use the available climate change information. Coastal managers are highly concerned about climate change and willing to address it in their work, but they require financial and technical assistance from other agencies at the state and federal level to do so. This study revealed a strong need for individuals or organizations to play an intermediary role between science and practice

Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Climate Change Adaptation in San Francisco Bay: Results from Case Studies

The research goals of this project were threefold: (1) to systematically identify the adaptation barriers encountered by local government entities in San Francisco Bay; (2) to test empirically the robustness and usefulness of a diagnostic framework (previously developed by the authors) so as to modify or refine its components; and (3) to draw larger lessons about the adaptation process and the importance of adaptation barriers—even in highly developed nations—for the scientific community in terms of future research priorities and for policy‐makers. To fulfill these goals, an in‐depth study of five California case studies in the San Francisco Bay region (Hayward, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Marin Counties, and the regional adaptation process) was undertaken. Relevant data were collected through key informant interviews, public documents, observation of and/or participation in public meetings, and a statewide survey.   The study found growing, but still very limited activities in the case studies. Institutional and attitudinal barriers dominate, but economic barriers are also important, even in wealthy locales. Leadership emerged as a critical factor in moving them forward on adaptation. Science mattered some, but policy and planning opportunities were more significant in motivating or launching the adaptation process. The study also found that communities have assets, aids, and advantages that can help them avoid barriers and that there is significant opportunity to affect and overcome the barriers that are being encountered in the “here and now.” However, local communities need outside intervention to address “legacy” and “remote” barriers. With still very little visible adaptation activity “on the ground,” the study concluded that a big portion of what communities are doing to date is working on overcoming the barriers to adaptation instea

Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Adaptation in the San Francisco Bay Area: A Synthesis of PIER Program Reports and Other Relevant Research

This paper synthesizes San Francisco Bay Area-focused findings from research conducted in 2010–2012 as part of the state’s Vulnerability and Adaptation study sponsored by the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program. Historical observations of changes already evident are summarized, as well as projections of future changes in climate based on modeling studies using various plausible scenarios of how emissions of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere may change. Studies synthesized here show how these climate changes increase risks to society and natural ecosystems in a number of ways. Sectors for which impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation options are presented include water, agriculture, energy supply and demand, transportation, ecosystems, public health, wildfire, and coastal resources. Results show that depending on the vulnerability of human and natural communities, and their abilities to respond to these growing risks through adaptive changes, the San Francisco Bay Area could experience either significant impacts or maintain its resilience in the face of a rapidly changing environment

More than Information, What California's Coastal Managers Need to Plan for Climate Change

California’s coastlines are vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and sea‐level rise. Coastal managers at local, regional, state, and federal levels will need to plan and implement adaptation measures to cope with these consequences.  This study explored the information needs of California’s coastal managers, who confront the growing risks from climate change. It examined the challenges managers face presently, what information they use to perform their responsibilities, and what additional information and other knowledge resources they may need to begin planning for climate change. This study was conducted in the broader context of how science can best support policy makers and resource managers. Based on extensive interview and survey research in the state, researchers found that managers prefer certain types of information and information sources and would benefit from various learning opportunities (in addition to that information) to better use the available climate change information. Coastal managers are highly concerned about climate change and willing to address it in their work, but they require financial and technical assistance from other agencies at the state and federal level to do so. This study revealed a strong need for individuals or organizations to play an intermediary role between science and practice

Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change in California: Opportunities and Constraints for Adaptation

In response to Executive Order S-3-05, this paper examines California’s opportunities and constraints for managing the impacts of climate change. It reviews the extant literature on adaptation and provides examples from selected sectors in California to illuminate the constraints and, in some cases, limits to the ability to adapt to climate change. Based on these insights, recommendations are made for how government, research, and civil society can help California most effectively prepare for climate change impacts. The key findings are: Key Finding #1: California’s response to climate change is not a simple choice between mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Adaptation and mitigation are necessary complementary strategies for managing climate change. The state must determine the portfolio of solutions that will best minimize potential risks and maximize potential benefits. Key Finding #2: Today’s climate variability and weather extremes already pose significant risks to California’s citizens, economy, and environment. They reveal the state’s vulnerability and existing challenges in dealing with the vagaries of climate. Continued climate changes, and the risk of abrupt or surprising shifts in climate, will further challenge the state’s ability to cope with climate-related stresses. Key Finding #3: Adaptation is being addressed by the international community and largely ignored within the U.S. A deeper discussion is needed about the costs and challenges of adaptation in California and elsewhere in the U.S. Key Finding #4: To enhance Californians’ preparedness for climate variability and change, decision-makers in the private and public sectors require greater awareness of the risks they face, increased capacity to analyze such information and use it in decision-making, and the ability to remove any institutional, financial, political, and other barriers in the way of turning good intentions into actions. Key Finding #5:  Many opportunities exist to enhance California’s adaptive capacity and resilience in the face of change, even in the absence of perfect foresight about future climatic changes. In fact, California’s adaptive capacity—the ability to adapt—is significant. However, implementing that capacity into real adaptive actions on the ground is actually quite difficult and requires special attention and long‐term commitment at all levels of government, across climate‐sensitive industries, and throughout society.   Key Finding #6: The ability to cope and adapt is differentiated across population, economic sectors, and regions within the state. The state has an opportunity to ensure and enhance “environmental justice” while fostering California’s adaptive capacity to climate change and other interactive stressor

Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Adaptation in the San Francisco Bay Area: A Synthesis of PIER Program Reports and Other Relevant Research

This paper synthesizes San Francisco Bay Area-focused findings from research conducted in 2010–2012 as part of the state’s Vulnerability and Adaptation study sponsored by the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program. Historical observations of changes already evident are summarized, as well as projections of future changes in climate based on modeling studies using various plausible scenarios of how emissions of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere may change. Studies synthesized here show how these climate changes increase risks to society and natural ecosystems in a number of ways. Sectors for which impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation options are presented include water, agriculture, energy supply and demand, transportation, ecosystems, public health, wildfire, and coastal resources. Results show that depending on the vulnerability of human and natural communities, and their abilities to respond to these growing risks through adaptive changes, the San Francisco Bay Area could experience either significant impacts or maintain its resilience in the face of a rapidly changing environment

Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change in California: Opportunities and Constraints for Adaptation

In response to Executive Order S-3-05, this paper examines California’s opportunities and constraints for managing the impacts of climate change. It reviews the extant literature on adaptation and provides examples from selected sectors in California to illuminate the constraints and, in some cases, limits to the ability to adapt to climate change. Based on these insights, recommendations are made for how government, research, and civil society can help California most effectively prepare for climate change impacts. The key findings are: Key Finding #1: California’s response to climate change is not a simple choice between mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Adaptation and mitigation are necessary complementary strategies for managing climate change. The state must determine the portfolio of solutions that will best minimize potential risks and maximize potential benefits. Key Finding #2: Today’s climate variability and weather extremes already pose significant risks to California’s citizens, economy, and environment. They reveal the state’s vulnerability and existing challenges in dealing with the vagaries of climate. Continued climate changes, and the risk of abrupt or surprising shifts in climate, will further challenge the state’s ability to cope with climate-related stresses. Key Finding #3: Adaptation is being addressed by the international community and largely ignored within the U.S. A deeper discussion is needed about the costs and challenges of adaptation in California and elsewhere in the U.S. Key Finding #4: To enhance Californians’ preparedness for climate variability and change, decision-makers in the private and public sectors require greater awareness of the risks they face, increased capacity to analyze such information and use it in decision-making, and the ability to remove any institutional, financial, political, and other barriers in the way of turning good intentions into actions. Key Finding #5:  Many opportunities exist to enhance California’s adaptive capacity and resilience in the face of change, even in the absence of perfect foresight about future climatic changes. In fact, California’s adaptive capacity—the ability to adapt—is significant. However, implementing that capacity into real adaptive actions on the ground is actually quite difficult and requires special attention and long‐term commitment at all levels of government, across climate‐sensitive industries, and throughout society.   Key Finding #6: The ability to cope and adapt is differentiated across population, economic sectors, and regions within the state. The state has an opportunity to ensure and enhance “environmental justice” while fostering California’s adaptive capacity to climate change and other interactive stressor

Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Climate Change Adaptation in San Francisco Bay: Results from Case Studies

The research goals of this project were threefold: (1) to systematically identify the adaptation barriers encountered by local government entities in San Francisco Bay; (2) to test empirically the robustness and usefulness of a diagnostic framework (previously developed by the authors) so as to modify or refine its components; and (3) to draw larger lessons about the adaptation process and the importance of adaptation barriers—even in highly developed nations—for the scientific community in terms of future research priorities and for policy‐makers. To fulfill these goals, an in‐depth study of five California case studies in the San Francisco Bay region (Hayward, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Marin Counties, and the regional adaptation process) was undertaken. Relevant data were collected through key informant interviews, public documents, observation of and/or participation in public meetings, and a statewide survey.   The study found growing, but still very limited activities in the case studies. Institutional and attitudinal barriers dominate, but economic barriers are also important, even in wealthy locales. Leadership emerged as a critical factor in moving them forward on adaptation. Science mattered some, but policy and planning opportunities were more significant in motivating or launching the adaptation process. The study also found that communities have assets, aids, and advantages that can help them avoid barriers and that there is significant opportunity to affect and overcome the barriers that are being encountered in the “here and now.” However, local communities need outside intervention to address “legacy” and “remote” barriers. With still very little visible adaptation activity “on the ground,” the study concluded that a big portion of what communities are doing to date is working on overcoming the barriers to adaptation instea

Our Changing Climate 2012: Vulnerability & Adaptation to the Increasing Risks from Climate Change in California

Our Changing Climate 2012 highlights important new insights and data, using probabilistic and detailed climate projections and refined topographic, demographic and land use information