Schwarzenegger orders climate adaptation plan

Southern California has experienced terrible widlfires in recent weeks

As wildfires devastated large swathes of southern California this weekend, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced plans designed to better prepare the state for the worst impacts of climate change, including the increased incidence of extreme weather events.

The announcement - which came just a day after a study from the University of California, Berkeley claimed climate change impacts such as rising sea levels and the increased frequency of wildfires would put $2.5tr of real estates assets at risk – saw Schwarzengger issue an Executive Order requiring the state to develop a full blown climate change adaptation strategy.

"We have to adapt the way we work and plan in order to manage the impacts and challenges that California and our entire planet face from climate change," he said. "Given the serious threat of sea level rise to California's water supply, population and our economy, it is critically important that we make sure the state is prepared when heavy rains cause flooding and the potential for sea level rise increases in future years."

Under Executive Order S-13-08, state officials will be required deliver a report by early next year assessing where California is most at risk from climate change impacts and recommending how those risks can be addressed.

It also calls on the national Academy of Science to establish a dedicated panel to report on the impact of expected sea level rises and provide information on how infrastructure projects could be vulnerable to the increased risk of coastal flooding.

The Executive Order comes as Governor Schwarzenegger today prepares to sign an additional Executive Order designed to streamline approval processes for renewable energy projects.