The City of Long Beach is developing its first ever Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and we hope you will be a part of the process. The CAAP will help to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prepare the community for the impacts of climate change, improve quality of life, and enhance economic vitality in Long Beach. Long Beach will need to be a more sustainable and resilient city in the face of climate change impacts such as air pollution, extreme heat, drought, coastal storm surge, and sea level rise.
The CAAP will provide a framework for creating or updating policies, programs, practices, and incentives for Long Beach residents and businesses to reduce the City’s GHG footprint and ensure the community and physical assets are better protected from the impacts of climate change. Residents, business owners, students, and other community stakeholders are encouraged to get involved by providing input and sharing ideas, priorities, and solutions to help establish and achieve the City’s climate goals.
It’s good news that the City of Long Beach is preparing for climate change, and you should do your part and participate. To that end, Long Beach has prepared a climate change survey that I urge you to fill out in order to share with the City your views and concerns.
Particularly sobering, in my opinion, are the maps of sea level rise impacts on the City of Long Beach by 2100.
Thankfully, our local wetlands can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Wetlands absorb water from high tides, which reduces the consequences of flooding. Wetlands provide food and shelter to fragile species who are already stressed by having to go longer distances to search for food, as well as lessened or displaced food sources. Also thankfully, as comprehensive restoration planning moves forward for Los Cerritos Wetlands, how to plan for and make wetlands resilient to climate change will be part of the conversation. For further details check out the Opportunities and Constraints Report of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Conceptual Restoration Plan.
Then please help the City of Long Beach by taking their Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Survey. It will take just a few minutes of your time and your participation will make a difference.