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Strategy 2A

Integrate climate adaptation and resilience into planning, buildings, infrastructure, and community development decisions

Climate change is already reshaping life in Los Angeles County, bringing record high temperatures, worsening air quality, contributing to sea level rise and coastal erosion, and fueling more frequent and destructive floods and wildfires. These effects touch everything in daily life, from school closures and business disruptions during wildfire events to rising cooling costs for residents and businesses. Urban and rural communities alike face exacerbated health and home safety issues because of climate change. Additionally, extreme heat, extreme precipitation, and flooding create conditions conducive to the proliferation of mosquitos, potentially increasing the prevalence of West Nile Virus and other vector-borne diseases throughout LA County, including viruses not yet endemic to the region. These emergent risks further exacerbate the human impacts of climate change. As the County and regional partners work to improve public infrastructure and construct new buildings, it is also critical to support existing homes, and those households, in becoming more energy and climate resilient.

Climate change also worsens existing inequities in specific communities:

  • Low-income residents, who have fewer resources to prepare for and recover from climate hazard events and who suffer disproportionately from respiratory illnesses (which are exacerbated by extreme heat, fire smoke, and poor air quality)
  • Undocumented immigrants and migrant workers, who are at a risk of linguistic isolation, human trafficking, and fear of arrest if they seek resources and help during events
  • Outdoor workers, who are at higher risk of heat stress and other heat-related disorders, injury, and reduced productivity from heat events
  • Older residents, who are more likely to have chronic health issues and less access to mobility options during events
  • Day laborers, domestic workers, and individuals who lose jobs, housing, or transportation during disasters, increasing their risk of human trafficking

    • The County will integrate climate adaptation and resilience in all future planning and development decisions. This effort will prioritize green infrastructure and biodiversity preservation that will support a healthy, resilient environment while addressing inequities and public health. Additionally, the County recognizes the importance of workforce development in advancing regionwide decarbonization and resilience efforts, including supporting upskilling in sustainable and resilient design and construction practices. The dangers the region faces from climate change are real and daunting. In using available climate change data, every action to protect our homes, communities, and infrastructure will reduce harm and better prepare us for the future.

    Action 27

    Maintain, update, and use the countywide Climate Vulnerability Assessment to assess high-risk infrastructure assets and guide priority investments, projects, programs, and policy changes to address social and physical infrastructure risks.

    Action 28

    Support the development and implementation of advanced clean technology, such as virtual power plants, vehicle-to-grid or vehicle-to-building technology, and microgrids, to build a more equitable and resilient grid.

    Action 29

    Develop and implement a County Heat Action Plan to ensure that communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems can thrive in the face of rising temperatures and more extreme heat.

    Action 30

    Establish a collaborative regional approach to develop and implement a coastal resilience and adaptation program that uses sea level rise projections and environmental justice principles to protect public health and safety and coastal habitats and economies.

    Action 31

    Develop a whole-home hazards retrofit program, including direct install support, for sustainable and resilient building upgrades that address risks, such as fire, heat, flood, drought, seismic events, and indoor air quality.

    Action 32

    Collaborate with climate-vulnerable communities, local organizations, and other community-based organizations to enhance capacity to engage in, plan for, and co-create programs and projects solutions for sustainability and climate resilience challenges.

    Action 33

    Collaborate with County departments, academic institutions, local Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, local jurisdictions, and other partners to review lessons learned from past disasters and apply insights to proactively strengthen preparedness, response, and resilience strategies.

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    Explore more goals

    Goal 1

    Resilient and healthy community environments where residents thrive in place

    Goal 2

    Buildings and infrastructure that support human health and resilience

    Goal 3

    Equitable and sustainable land use and development without displacement

    Goal 4

    A prosperous LA County that provides opportunities for all residents and businesses and supports the transition to a green economy

    Goal 5

    Thriving ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity

    Goal 6

    Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands, and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation, ecological discovery, and cultural activities

    Goal 7

    A fossil fuel-free LA County

    Goal 8

    A convenient, safe, clean, and affordable transportation system that enhances mobility and quality of life while reducing car dependency

    Goal 9

    Sustainable production and consumption of resources

    Goal 10

    A sustainable and just food system that enhances access to affordable, local, and healthy food

    Goal 11

    Inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance that supports and encourages participation in sustainability efforts, especially by disempowered communities

    Goal 12

    A commitment to realize OurCounty sustainability goals through creative, equitable, and coordinated funding and partnerships
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