California has released a new climate assessment warning that the familiar mild climate of San Diego may soon change drastically. The fifth statewide climate change assessment, presented at the Resilient California Summit in Sacramento, predicts increasingly severe climate impacts, including hotter temperatures, more intense rainstorms, and rising sea levels.
Abby Edwards, Senior Deputy Director in the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, emphasized the urgency of the findings.
“The climate is warming, and there’s a lot of things in the findings that are really true,” she said.
The assessment consists of nine parts, including a detailed report focusing specifically on the San Diego area.
Julie Kalansky, a researcher at UC San Diego, pointed to specific risks for the region.
“In San Diego, we have a lot of challenges ahead in climate,” Kalansky said.
The report highlights that rising sea levels and beach erosion could threaten homes and infrastructure, projecting a rise of 1 to 1.6 feet by 2075. Areas such as South Bay and Imperial Beach are identified as particularly vulnerable.
Looking ahead, the report anticipates about four degrees of warming by 2050, which could lead to more frequent and intense heat waves. The combination of these hotter temperatures and strong Santa Ana winds may increase the likelihood and duration of wildfires.
Additionally, the report outlines a complicated future for water in San Diego. Researchers predict that rain will occur less frequently but with greater intensity, increasing the risk of flooding during powerful winter storms.
While the report highlights various risks, it also presents potential solutions to mitigate these impacts. These solutions include restoring dunes, improving flood protection, conserving water, and preparing infrastructure for extreme weather.
Read the full assessment at climateassessment.ca.gov.