Posted on October 25, 2021
Climate Resilient SD looks at the past, present, and future conditions and covers wildfire, coastal flooding and erosion, flooding and drought, extreme heat and sea level rise.
The City of San Diego is asking for public feedback on its recently released draft Climate Resilient SD plan.
Climate Resilient SD implements key strategies of the City’s climate action plan and fulfils legislative requirements to integrate climate adaptation into the City’s general plan.
Climate change
Residents are being encouraged to review the draft and provide input with the purpose of improving the lives of all San Diegans and ensuring the city is prepared for the effects of climate change.
Specifically, Climate Resilient SD looks at the past, present, and future conditions of San Diego’s primary climate change hazards: wildfire; coastal flooding and erosion; flooding and drought; extreme heat; and sea level rise.
The plan aims to make sure San Diego will not only have the capacity to respond and recover from these climate change hazards, but also improve through investments in local communities. In addition, the plan focuses on maintaining critical City services, prioritising investments for the city’s most vulnerable populations and investing in the areas with the greatest needs.
“Our efforts to enhance San Diego’s resilience will result in many economic, health and quality of life benefits for all of us”
Each of the plan’s adaptation strategies focuses on core benefits that can be achieved, such as social equity, recreation, and improved air quality.
“Climate change hazards present a risk to San Diego’s natural environment, public health and safety, and economic prosperity,” said Mike Hansen, city planning director. “By taking action now, we ensure our city is not only prepared to respond to the impacts of climate change but is actually able to thrive.”
He continued: “We are committed to planning for a more equitable, sustainable and healthy future for all San Diegans, especially the most vulnerable who face the greatest risks and have the fewest resources available to respond.”
As City staff developed the draft plan, they held several outreach events and collected community surveys. Residents and members of the public can read the draft, provide feedback and interact with others giving input by visiting the City’s resiliency webpage.
“The climate crisis is already impacting San Diegans, especially those in frontline communities,” added Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego. “We are doing the work needed to prepare our city to overcome these threats while addressing environmental justice. Our efforts to enhance San Diego’s resilience will result in many economic, health and quality of life benefits for all of us.”
City staff will continue to solicit additional feedback before finalising the document. Staff will present the draft to the Planning Commission at its 4 November 2021, meeting. Climate Resilient SD is then expected to go to the San Diego City Council for approval by the end of this year.
