HARMAN APPLAUDS CALIFORNIA PLAN TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS

Lawmaker says “we need to be ready to adapt to potentially catastrophic shifts in the environment”

Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) today praised a plan by the California Natural Resources Agency calling for statewide preparations for the effects of climate change.  The plan offers strategies on how state government can ready itself for the impacts of rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, shifting precipitation and extreme weather events.

Rather than focusing solely on efforts to prevent climate change, the report seeks to anticipate its consequences and identify practices and policies to minimize its negative effects.

“Governments and individuals must do all they can to slow the pace of climate change and reverse its effects, but we need to be ready to adapt to potentially catastrophic shifts in the environment, such as rising sea levels and shifting weather patterns,” said Harman.  “The communities around the South Bay recognize this and are already readying themselves for the impacts of rising global temperatures.”

“Preparation for the effects of climate change is a matter of national security,” Harman said.  “I applaud the Natural Resources Agency for its efforts to provide long-term, cross-sector guidance, and am pleased to see California is again taking the lead on critical environmental challenges.” 

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