Protecting California's Coastal Development Will Cost Billions

Computer modeling predicts sea levels rising 55 inches by 2100, and a recent report from California's interagency Climate Action Team is calling for a radical reorganization of the state's coastal development and infrastructure to avoid disaster.

1 minute read

March 13, 2009, 10:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"California's interagency Climate Action Team on Wednesday issued the first of 40 reports on impacts and adaptation, outlining what the state's residents must do to deal with the floods, erosion and other effects expected from rising sea levels."

"Hundreds of thousands of people and billions of dollars of Golden State infrastructure and property would be at risk if ocean levels rose 55 inches by the end of the century, as computer models suggest, according to the report."

"The group floated several radical proposals: limit coastal development in areas at risk from sea rise; consider phased abandonment of certain areas; halt federally subsidized insurance for property likely to be inundated; and require coastal structures to be built to adapt to climate change."

FULL STORY: California panel urges 'immediate action' to protect against rising sea levels

Thursday, March 12, 2009 in Los Angeles Times

Environment Infrastructure Land Use Urban Development California Growth Management Climate Change Sea Level Rise Coastal Development View More

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