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Impacts of Climate Change on Redwood City <br />Financial Impact of Climate Change <br />As climate -related natural disasters become more frequent and intense, costs for disaster response and relief are <br />anticipated to increase. With flooding, storms, droughts, wildfires, and other climate -related natural disasters <br />becoming more common, flood insurance and flood prevention costs will grow.33 <br />Climate change is anticipated to impact public buildings, storm water infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, <br />community services, and land -use planning and development. Climate damage to homes and businesses could <br />negatively impact the economy and reduce Redwood City's income from property and sales taxes, not to mention <br />damage the quality of life for all community members. <br />If Redwood City allocates resources and invests in climate -protecting strategies now, it will be insurance against <br />some of the most costly effects of a hotter planet in the future. <br />Working with the San Mateo County Health System <br />The San Mateo County Health System, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control, serves a number of functions to <br />reduce health risks related to climate change. These include informing cities about the risk to public health from climate <br />change, creating tools that support decision-making and capacity building related to mitigating adverse health outcomes from <br />climate change, and serving as a credible leader in planning for the public health impacts of climate change. Redwood City <br />intends to work with the San Mateo County Health System to mitigate public health dangers and maintain or improve long- <br />term health by encouraging residents and workers to be part of the solution. <br />Research shows that individuals who live in mixed-use and walkable communities have a 35 percent lower risk of obesity.34 <br />Another study estimates that the walking associated with transit use saves an individual $5,500 over the course of their life by <br />reducing obesity -related medical costs.35 Redwood City and the San Mateo County Health System will support programs that <br />promote more walkable and bikeable cities, which not only promote healthier lifestyles, but also decrease reliance on vehicles <br />that contribute to climate change. <br />IF <br />460I Tr <br />I - <br />y <br />x <br />City of Redwood City Climate Action Plan 31 <br />