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National Climate Assessment Outlines Issues For SoCal
Lake Powell is seen from Alstrom Point in Big Water, Utah, on September 2, 2022.
(
Robyn Beck
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
The National Climate Assessment, a federal analysis of climate change by the nation’s top scientists that’s presented to Congress every five years since 1990, says that a lot of what we’re already experiencing here in Southern California — drought, flooding, extreme heat and fire — will only worsen if global greenhouse gas emissions aren’t cut significantly within this decade … or soon after.
Why it matters: The report is used by governments, courts and other sectors for important legal and policy decisions about adapting to the escalating impacts of the climate crisis. The report emphasizes the need to adapt in a variety of ways in our region, such as more sustainable water management and improving legal protections for outdoor workers.
What the report says about our neck of the woods: Of five key messages, the top one is that the climate crisis is leading to a drier future overall in the southwest. At the same time, wet years — when they do come — are expected to be even wetter. For example, the report highlights the disproportionate flooding risk that predominantly Black and Latino communities face in south L.A.
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Go deeper:
- From Drought to Deluge: The Story of the Biggest, Wettest Winter in Western History
- The Push To Reimagine LA's Streets And Alleyways To Fight Both Drought And Floods
- How Resilience Hubs Can Help Communities Face The Heat And The Climate Emergency
- The Climate Crisis Is Changing The Definition Of Extreme Heat
- Higher Temperatures And Less Oversight Mean Workers Are At A Growing Risk In The Climate Emergency
- Outdoor Workers Are Lawfully Protected From Extreme Heat. Indoor Workers? Not So Much
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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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