AgdaPkt 2020-11-16 Special - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.A. - Page 34 of 251 Impacts of Climate Change on Redwood City Impacts in San Mateo County Following are some of the key climate impacts that San Mateo County has already seen and will likely see in the future. Rising Temperatures The Bay Area's average annual maximum temperature increased by 1.7°F (0.95°C) from 1950 to 2005. Even with significant efforts to mitigate climate change, the Bay Area will likely see annual mean warming of approximately 3.3°F by mid-century and as much as 4.4°F under the high -emissions scenario. By the end of the century, temperatures could rise by 4.2°F to 7.2°F.22 Extreme heat events occur when air temperatures reach or exceed 100°F. Across San Mateo County, air temperatures are expected to increase by an average of 5°F between 1995 and 2070 due to climate change. In the baseline year of 1995, approximately nine percent of the people in vulnerable communities in the county were at risk from the impacts of more than two high heat days per year. By 2030, nearly three times as many people will beat risk. By 2070, four times as many will beat risk. The greatest increases in the number of high heat days from 1995 to 2070 are projected to occur in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City. The Climate Ready SMC Web Visualization Tool is an interactive website designed to provide an enhanced understanding of how a changing climate will impact our community (https://www.smcsustainability.org/climate- ready). The maps below demonstrate how the tool can be used to identify how projected high heat events in 2030 and 2070 could impact areas in Redwood City. Impact of Heat on People In a heat wave, the most dangerous places can be the ones where people spend the most time: inside houses and apartments. In poorly insulated buildings, heat can build up and not even dissipate at night. In 2018, a KQED investigation found that bay area homes without air conditioning were as much as 15 to 20 degrees hotter inside than outside overnight.21 These risks are compounded for low- income communities. A September 2017 bay area heat wave overwhelmed the protective and social infrastructure in San Francisco, resulting in 6 deaths and 38 hospitalizations. Members of socially vulnerable communities may not be able to afford to cool their work or living spaces or may be forced to choose between air conditioning and paying for basic necessities (e.g., food and rent). City of Redwood City Climate Action Plan M MENEEMEMM