Our Climate, Our Future: Resiliency

View these engagement tools to learn more about the vision and goals for Climate Resilient SD: 

Vision and Goals (English)

Vision and Goals (Spanish)

Vision and Goals (Tagalog)

Vision and Goals (Vietnamese)

Vision and Goals (Chinese)

City staff developed the plan over the past several years using input from organizations and agencies, public outreach events, public hearings and community surveys, as well as potentially impacted City departments.

Learn more about potential adaptation strategies the Planning Department discussed with the public to address sea level rise, extreme heat, wildfire and flooding by viewing the engagement tools:

Potential Adaptation Strategies (English)

Potential Adaptation Strategies (Spanish)

Potential Adaptation Strategies (Tagalog)

Potential Adaptation Strategies (Vietnamese)

Potential Adaptation Strategies (Chinese)

On April 19, 2021, City staff held a virtual workshop so the public could learn more about the plan and share their ideas on how we can flourish as our climate changes. View the video recording of the workshop.

City staff hosted a virtual workshop on Oct. 19, 2021, to introduce the Climate Resilient SD draft plan to the public and listen to public feedback. View the video recording of the workshop.

Comments and input on the Climate Resilient SD draft plan were gathered using an interactive tool. View the draft and the comments.

A document was also prepared to summarize all of the community engagement that had been conducted that has been conducted so far for this planning effort, and how public feedback received through this engagement has shaped the development of the Climate Resilient SD plan. View the  community engagement summary.

Fire season in California is year-round. Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands or canyons. These dangerous fires spread quickly and can devastate open space areas as well as communities. Wildfires can be dangerous, so it is important to be prepared. Children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable to the effects of wildfires. Wildfire preparedness is key to protecting yourself, your community and your property from the damages of fire. Check out some of the resources below so that you can be ready and stay fire safe!

Here are some resources to help you prepare:

• Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide
• Printable Emergency Label Checklist
• What is your fire risk?
• Wildland Fires Safety Tips from SD Fire-Rescue Department

For more information on preparing for wildfires:

• https://www.sandiego.gov/ohs/plan
• https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
• https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/index.html
• https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/family-communication-plan_fillable-card.pdf
• https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/wildfires#california

For information on wildfire smoke health risks:

• https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/chronic-conditions.htm#copd

Tracking fires in California:

• https://www.weather.gov/fire/ · https://www.airnow.gov/fires

Extreme heat is when the weather is much hotter than usual, and sometimes more humid. In San Diego, extreme heat days currently occur when the temperature is above 93.1 degrees. These days are projected to become hotter and more frequent in the future.

Extreme heat can be dangerous, so it is important to be prepared. Children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat.

Here are a few steps you can take to prepare before an extreme heat event:

1. Learn how to recognize the signs of heat illness.
2. Each spring, check that your household’s fans, air conditioners or other cooling equipment are in good working order.
3. Cover your window with drapes or shades.
4. Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool, such as the nearest Cool Zone or shopping mall.

Stay safe during an extreme heat event: 

1. Minimize direct exposure to the sun, and avoid high-energy activities or work outdoors, if possible.
2. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Avoid beverages with caffeine, sugar or alcohol.
3. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes. If you are outside, find shade, and wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
4. Watch for signs of heat illness, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
5. Check the local news for health and safety updates.
6. Check on family members, seniors and neighbors, and consider pet safety. If pets are outside, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to shade.
7. Take a cool shower or bath to help cool off.
8. Use your own fans or air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned places.
9. Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home. Instead, eat light, cool and easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
10. Take a cool shower or bath to help cool off.

For more information on preparing for hot days:

• https://www.ready.gov/heat
• https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/pubs/extreme-heat-guidebook.pdf
• https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Extreme%20Heat%20Pages/BI_Natural-Disasters_Extreme-Heat.aspx
• https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/extreme-heat

Mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to avoid the worst potential impacts of climate change.

Adaptation focuses on reducing impacts from climate change-related hazards.

Resilience enhances the ability to bounce back from a disruptive event.

Citywide Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment was a key step towards completing Climate Resilient SD. Backed by the best available science and informed by a diverse Stakeholder Advisory Group, the Vulnerability Assessment identified and evaluated which City assets are vulnerable to climate change and the potential consequences that could occur. A high level overview of the findings is presented in the  brochure. Read the  full report.

Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment

The City of San Diego has long recognized the need to address the risks from sea level rise, storm surge, and coastal erosion. To better understand these risks, the City conducted a sea level rise vulnerability assessment with funding from a California Coastal Commission Local Coastal Program Local Assistance Grant. This vulnerability assessment is a technical report that presents key findings from the assessment of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of critical built, natural, and cultural assets to coastal hazards.

• Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment

State Lands Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment

Pursuant to Assembly Bill No. 691 (AB 691), and as a local trustee of the granted public trust lands, the City completed a state granted lands sea-level rise vulnerability assessment, evaluating the impacts of sea-level rise on its public trust lands and detailing a plan to address vulnerabilities and mitigate impacts. The assessment considers the recommendations under the California Ocean Protection Council’s State Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance and the California Coastal Commission’s Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance to assess impacts of storms and extreme weather events, changing shorelines, trends in relative local sea level, and impacts to public trust resources and values. Through this assessment, the City identified the vulnerabilities of City assets and public trust resources and facilities, considered replacement or repair costs, and assessed the impact to non-market values, such as ecosystem services, for the years 2030, 2050, and 2100. To address these vulnerabilities, the City, with input from local stakeholders, compiled a list of potential adaptation and mitigation measures, organized by climate change hazard. These measures included with estimated costs, associated benefits, and timeframes for implementation.

• State Lands Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment

Documents Related to the Climate Resilient SD Plan

An  Addendum to Environmental Impact Report No. 104495 was prepared. In accordance with Senate Bill 379, the Climate Resilient SD Plan also includes an amendment to the City's General Plan Public Facilities, Services, and Safety Element. View the edits in strikethrough/underline format.

On Sept. 13 and 14, 2021, the City partnered with the San Diego Foundation, High Tech High and other volunteers to hold an urban heat mapping event. Using heat sensors, volunteers traveled along designated routes and collected thousands of temperature and humidity data points in the morning, afternoon and evening. The data was then sent to CAPA Strategies who created high resolutions maps to show heat distribution across the City. The urban heat mapping results are just one tool the City will use to strategically decide where to prioritize the implementation of strategies that address extreme heat. This project was funded by a grant from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and CAPA Strategies. Learn more about the event and view the report.

Climate Resiliency in the San Diego Region

• Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Fourth Climate Change Assessment, San Diego Regional Report
• Collaborative Planning for Climate Resilience
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Adaptation Project – Connecting the Dots and Building Coastal Resilience in the San Diego Region
• San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative 
• Sea level rise adaptation strategy for San Diego Bay - 2012

Climate Change and Resiliency in California

• Safeguarding California, the state’s climate change adaptation strategy
• State of California Sea-Level Rise Guidance
• Adaptation Clearing House
• California Adaptation Planning Guide and other resources for regional and local adaptation efforts
• California’s main resource for climate change research, Cal-Adapt
• Alliance of Regional Collaboratives for Climate Adaptation (ARCCA)