Climate Change

HOW WILL CALIFORNIA BE IMPACTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE?

California is the most populous state in the United States and a global economic powerhouse. The state, however, has one of the world’s most varied and volatile climates and scientists and public officials are concerned about the impacts that human-caused climate change will inflict upon California. Already subject to drought, wildfires, and extreme weather, California’s environmental and social problems will be exacerbated by a warmer world. Temperatures will continue to rise in coming decades due to greenhouse gases that are accumulating in the atmosphere from transportation, industry, and other human activity. These gases absorb and trap heat radiating from the Earth’s surface, and bolster the atmospheric greenhouse effect that is increasingly warming the planet.

Scripps scientists have contributed regional downscaled modeling, analysis, and organization to a series of California Climate Change Assessments. Besides providing a comprehensive assessment of possible climate change trajectories and outcomes, the Scripps products served numerous other study teams, underpinning an evaluation of effects of climate change at regional and local scales. In California’s recent Fourth Climate Change Assessment, the Scripps team produced an ensemble of climate change information at unprecedented detail that was made available to government agencies and other decision makers in California.

What will climate feel like in 60 years for your city?
Scientists use complex models to predict the effects of climate change on cities around the world.

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5 years ago I didn’t used A/C at home. However 3 years ago I bought A/C and if last year I turned it on in June 14 then today I still turn it off. For example, today was about 81 Fahrenheit, but tomorrow will be much cooler due to fog coming from Pacific Ocean.

I find this modeling helpful in my plans to plant native trees & long-lived shrubs here at my house. I can source plants that are native to the (reasonably nearby) region that our climate will resemble, in the future. Hopefully, some of the plants we bring will also be a helpful host to refugee insect populations, heading north.

>> I find this modeling helpful in my plans to plant native trees & long-lived shrubs here at my house. <<

I'm happy I could help!

Yes, I plant a lot of natives too. I try to choose ones that are tolerant at least one zone north and south of my locale. But this was 5b when I was little, moved into 6a around 30 years ago, and is now on the edge of 6b. The problem is that we're getting warmer weather overall, with much less snow in winter, but occasional snaps of deep, killing cold. That makes it hard to find plants that can withstand a very wide range of both cold and heat. :/

For reference, I'm in central Illinois and you can see pictures from my area under my Photo tag.

>> I can source plants that are native to the (reasonably nearby) region that our climate will resemble, in the future. <<

Good idea.

>> Hopefully, some of the plants we bring will also be a helpful host to refugee insect populations, heading north.<<

When I was little, lots of people planted yuccas but they never set seed, lacking their pollinator the yucca moth. Now they often set seed, and if you look at the pods, you can seen tiny holes in some where the caterpillars drilled out after eating the seeds inside. The yucca moth lays eggs in some flowers, the seeds feed the caterpillars, and other flowers yield seeds to make more yuccas. I started with one, which is now a cluster of several, and there's a volunteer across the driveway too. :D I surmise the moths moved north, following the spread of yuccas as decorative plants. It's one of two I never worry about in a drought, the other being my sunchokes.

I'm in coastal california, inside the fog zone, and so is the (more southerly)coastal zone we'll be changing to (in theory) so I think I'm safe from the harder freezing issue. It's the dryer summers or the occasional monsoonal torrents in late August-October that will be the big shifts. Some of our local naives will rot at the roots if they gat a heavy rainfall in the peak of what is now our dry season... including, interestingly enough, the local yucca species. We have plenty (OMG SO MANY) of the Yucca Moths that we can surely import the species of yucca that tolerates the monsoon rains better.

Edited 2025-08-09 04:22 (UTC)

>> I'm in coastal california,<<

Beautiful territory! I enjoyed my visits there. We got to see Muir Woods among other places.

>> inside the fog zone, <<

Consider what you could grow if the fog fails. That's likely when the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation shuts down, as it's already weakening. That will throw off the global ocean cycles and weather patterns, possibly including the cold Pacific current that drives the coastal fogs. And the ecosystems that depend on it. Central valley natives are used to drier conditions and may be worth exploring.

>> and so is the (more southerly)coastal zone we'll be changing to (in theory) so I think I'm safe from the harder freezing issue. <<

Likely so.

>> It's the dryer summers or the occasional monsoonal torrents in late August-October that will be the big shifts. <<

Heavy rain is best handled with hardscaping (e.g. rain gardens, swales) to discourage flooding and erosion, supported by plants that can absorb a lot of water quickly. Cacti and some other succulents can absorb surprising amounts of water very fast.

>> Some of our local naives will rot at the roots if they gat a heavy rainfall in the peak of what is now our dry season... including, interestingly enough, the local yucca species.<<

For concerns about root rot, sandy soil with good drainage will help; if necessary, raise those plants on higher ground too.

>> We have plenty (OMG SO MANY) of the Yucca Moths that we can surely import the species of yucca that tolerates the monsoon rains better.<<

Yay!

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