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<br /> <br />Climate Change <br /> <br /> <br /> Figure 17-5. Average Winter Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, Model Simulation <br /> <br /> <br />Wildfire <br />The frequency, severity and impacts of wildfire are sensitive to climate change and to many other factors, such as <br />development patterns, wind patterns, and pest infestations. Therefore, it is difficult to project specific effects of <br />climate change on wildfires. As recent years have shown, much of California can expect an increased risk of <br />wildfire, with a wildfire season that starts earlier, runs longer, and features more extreme fire events. Figure 17-6 <br />displays the anticipated annual average area burned through 2100. <br /> <br />17.1.5 Responses to Climate Change <br />Communities and governments worldwide are working to address, evaluate and prepare for climate changes that <br />are likely to impact communities in coming decades. Generally, climate change discussions encompass two <br />separate but inter-related considerations: mitigation and adaptation. The term “mitigation” can be confusing <br />because its meaning changes across disciplines: <br /> Mitigation in emergency management—as generally addressed in this hazard mitigation plan—is <br />typically defined as the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. <br /> Mitigation in climate change discussions is defined as a human intervention to reduce impacts on the <br />climate system. It includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas sources and emissions and enhance <br />greenhouse gas sinks. <br />In this chapter, mitigation is used as defined by the climate change community. In the other chapters of this plan, <br />mitigation is primarily used in an emergency management context. <br /> <br /> <br />17-9