The Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP), funded by the State’s Adaptation Planning Grant Program, will include development of an adaptation framework for both unincorporated Lake County and the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport. The CAP process will identify problem statements based on the Climate Vulnerability Analysis, which was prepared as part of the update to the Health and Safety Element. The CAP will determine Focus Areas for targeting places, assets, and people with the highest needs and vulnerabilities, for the development of specific climate adaptation goals and strategies. During this process, the County will engage the community and stakeholders through an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative process to learn about lived experiences in adaptation and gain local knowledge of resilience practices to ensure the CAP builds off existing adaptation efforts and improves the resilience of all communities in the county.
Climate Vulnerability Analysis
Lake County, City of Clearlake, and City of Lakeport completed a comprehensive Climate Vulnerability Analysis examining how climate change hazards could impact our community. This detailed study analyzes 8 climate hazards and their potential effects on 18 different population groups, 19 types of buildings and infrastructure, 7 economic drivers, 6 ecosystems, and 8 key services across unincorporated Lake County and the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.
Key findings include:
- Wildfire and smoke pose the greatest climate risks countywide, followed by severe weather, flooding, and drought.
- Most vulnerable populations: People of color and immigrant communities, outdoor workers (like farmworkers), households in poverty, tribal community members, and people with chronic illnesses/disabilities.
- Most at-risk community assets: Energy and communication infrastructure, homes, transportation systems, and agriculture as an economic driver.
What happens next? We need YOUR input to develop our Climate Adaptation Plan – our roadmap for preparing for and responding to climate challenges. The community survey takes about 5-10 minutes and asks for your thoughts on our findings, ideas for building resilience, and barriers to implementing climate resilience projects and programs.
Your lived experience and local knowledge will provide input that ensures the Climate Adaptation Plan reflects community needs and priorities
Whether you’re a long-time resident, new to the area, work here, or are visiting – we want to hear from you. Every perspective helps us build a more resilient Lake County.