Climate change in California

Climate change in California has resulted in higher than average temperatures, leading to increased occurrences of droughts and wildfires. Over the next few decades in California, climate change is predicted to further reduce water availability, increase wildfire risk, decrease agricultural productivity, and threaten coastal ecosystems. The state could also be impacted economically due to the rising cost of providing water to its residents along with revenue and job loss in the agricultural sector, which impacts low-income Californians disproportionately.

Health impact is expected from wildfires, heat waves, and dirty air, causing more breathing problems, heart issues, and even deaths, especially in cities with a high level of pollution. Economic impacts also include inflation from rising insurance premiums, energy costs and food prices. Climate-driven wildfires and rising temperatures in California are drastically reshaping ecosystems, causing habitat loss and threatening the survival of species like the California Spotted Owl, Coho and Chinook Salmon, and Desert Slender Salamander.

People in California are affected in different ways that intersect with their socioeconomic identities and cultural practices.  The impacts of increased greenhouse gas emissions and PM2.5 make many Californians susceptible to health effects and is an example of environmental injustice.

California has taken a number of steps to mitigate impacts of climate change in the state.