Public Health workshop participants explored impacts of poor air quality from wildfire smoke on vulnerable populations.
Climate Resilience
Counties must prepare for the effects of global climate change on our residents and services, as we are on the front lines of response to fires, floods, public health issues, and impacts on vulnerable communities. Many Alameda County agencies are already taking action to prepare for climate impacts like extreme heat and poor air quality. Through climate adaptation, the county is working to minimize and prevent the negative impacts of climate change in order to increase resilience - a system's ability to respond to shocks. Recognizing that addressing climate change requires all of us to work together, the County is also coordinating with other governments and regional collaborations to expand the adaptive capacity of the Bay Area as a whole.
Although climate change will affect all of us, the impacts will be felt most severely by already vulnerable populations. As part of our role as a social safety net, the County is working to mitigate heat and wildfire smoke impacts, which disproportionately affect groups including the very young, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, low-income households, and communities of color
We are also working regionally to prepare for risks associated with sea level rise. Through our work, we strive to build a more resilient and healthy county for all residents.
Partners
- Bay Area Climate Adaptation Network (BayCAN) is a network to help local governments respond effectively and equitably to the impacts of climate change.
- Adapting to Rising Tides provides support to local and regional adaptation planning projects in the Bay Area and advocates for responsive adaptation assistance and grant programs on the state and federal level.
- Coastal Hazards Adaptation Resiliency Group (CHARG) is an organization of flood control managers and scientists working to reduce flood risk and build resilience to sea level rise in the Bay Area.
Related Links
- Op-Ed on Counties' Role in Climate Action and Resilience by Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson