Schwarzenegger Orders California to Prepare for Sea-Level Rise
Gov. tells state agencies they must prepare for the impacts of climate change, especially those caused by rising sea levels.
In a first-of-its-kind executive directive, Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has ordered the state to begin taking immediate action to mitigate the impending damage to state resources caused by climate change.
“Given the serious threat of sea level rise to California’s water supply, population and our economy, it’s critically important that we make sure the state is prepared,” Schwarzenegger said in a written release. “We have to adapt the way we work and plan in order to manage the impacts and challenges that California and our entire planet face from climate change,” said Schwarzenegger.
Executive Order S-13-08 says that “California must begin now to adapt and build our resiliency to coming climate changes through a thoughtful and sensible approach with local, regional, state and federal government using the best available science.” The order also requires state agencies that build new transportation infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to factor in rising sea levels in their planning.
The executive order comes a day after the release of a report by a University of California economist predicting that if the state fails to act, it could suffer tens of billions of dollars in damage to its real estate, transportation systems and industries from water, fire and other climate-driven catastrophes by the end of the century.
Per the order, the state will request a study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences to determine the most threatening infrastructural vulnerabilities. The data collected—which should be available by 2010—would then be used for long-term planning of state infrastructure projects.
Environmental groups have reacted positively to the Schwarzenegger move, applauding such aggressive policies that mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Image: Hot Meteor via flickr under a Creative Commons License
Wow. I guess … it’s good to be prepared, but still … what if the earth suddenly starts to cool? Or if we kill all of the cows and stop global warming entirely? Boy, would egg be on the face of California.
Its a good idea i suppose, half the state is on fire at the moment so it may be a good time to look into preventing natural disasters.
Sounds to me like Schwarzenegger better get on the ball over there.
jess
http://www.anonymity.cz.tc
Right, scientific evidence is pointing to the earth cooling down significantly…no better time to try to scare people into giving up more freedom with junk science.
So what happens when the earth cools and the seas recede? Will we be ordered by Sacramento to build more sandcastles?
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