Climate Change Report Shows Grim Outlook For California
BERKELEY (KCBS) – More wildfires, heat waves and rising seas – that's what's in store for California according to the latest report on climate change.
The report, released jointly by the California Natural Resources Agency and California Energy Commission, paints a harsh picture of the realities of climate change.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
"One of the things that would tend to occur particularly in the Bay Area is that as we have rising oceans, particularly when we have winter storms, then we could have real problems on the coastal areas," said Energy Commission Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller.
He said there's also more chance of wildfires in the hotter, drier climate, all of which needs to be looked at when it comes to how critical infrastructure can be impacted.
"In San Diego in 2007, there were a couple of really horrendous wildfires," said Weisenmiller. "At a time when you want reliable power, you could find yourself losing the transmission lines."
The report titled "Our Changing Climate 2012" was prepared by using the work of more than 130 scientists from the University of California and other academic institutions, with the hope of helping the state prepare for and adapt to the changes.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
