Climate Adaptation
Managing the effects of climate change
Image courtesy flickr user SP8254
In the fight against climate change, the Bay Area has two important responsibilities. We must reduce our carbon emissions through better regional planning, and we must prepare for some inevitable environmental change. SPUR's research and recommendations are laying the groundwork for how local governments can plan for both of these challenges.
This initiative is generously supported by grants from the Urban Land Institute and San Francisco Foundation.
Lead staff: Laura Feinstein, Sustainable Development Policy Director, lfeinstein@spur.org
Featured Publications
Safety First
Improving hazard resilience in the Bay Area
The Bay Area is both a treasured place and a hazardous environment where flooding, wildfires and earthquakes are common today. These hazards are likely to become more frequent, larger and more damaging as climate change puts the region’s people, built environment and natural habitats at risk. As a region exposed to multiple hazards, how can we manage for all of them at the same time? geographic areas that share common physical characteristics and adaptation strategies.
San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas
Working with nature to plan for sea level rise
As the climate continues to change, communities will need to adapt the San Francisco Bay shoreline to rising sea levels. But the Bay’s varied landscapes and overlapping jurisdictions make a coordinated response challenging. The San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas proposes a new regional planning framework by dividing the 400-mile Bay shoreline into 30 distinct geographic areas that share common physical characteristics and adaptation strategies.
Climate Change Hits Home
Adaptation strategies for the San Francisco Bay Area
Global efforts to slow climate change by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions have largely failed. As a result we must not only intensify our efforts to reduce climate change but start preparing for its inevitable effects. In this report, SPUR recommends more than 30 strategies for local and regional agencies to begin minimizing the region’s vulnerabilities to these long-term but potentially catastrophic effects.
Future-Proof Water
Where the Bay Area should get its water in the 21st century
More than two-thirds of the Bay Area’s water is imported from outside the region. Today these supplies are regularly threatened by drought, earthquakes and water quality impairments — risks that will intensify with climate change. Meanwhile, our region will add 2 million more people by 2040 — growth that will require more water. Do we have the water we need to support this projected growth?
The Ocean Beach Master Plan
A comprehensive vision for a more sustainable future on San Francisco’s Pacific coast
As climate-induced sea level rise sets in, erosion at San Francisco's Ocean Beach will continue to worsen. Working with government agencies, community groups and the public, SPUR has developed a landmark climate adaptation and open space plan for Ocean Beach.
Recent News
Water on All Sides
Urbanist ArticleFormidable challenges aren’t keeping Miami from taking bold action against climate change.
San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas
SPUR ReportAs the climate continues to change, communities will need to adapt the San Francisco Bay shoreline to rising sea levels. But the Bay’s varied landscapes and overlapping jurisdictions make a coordinated response challenging. The San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas proposes a new regional planning framework by dividing the 400-mile Bay shoreline into 30 distinct geographic areas that share common physical characteristics and adaptation strategies.
Learning to Manage California’s Fire Problem
News /Climate change is here today, and after the devastating fires of 2017 and 2018, Californians know it. In 2019, SPUR will be working on a new policy report on the multiple hazards wrought by climate change, including fires and flooding. We now know that land use, planning, building code, forest management and other recommendations may be needed to improve fire resiliency across the Bay Area.
Bay Area Cities Step Up Their Climate Commitments
News /Among the most inspiring outcomes of the Global Climate Action Summit, hosted in San Francisco earlier this month, were the climate commitments made by governments and organizations around the world. Bay Area cities and agencies announced ambitious new goals that will wean the region off of natural gas and diesel and make way for a carbon-free future.
Spare the Air, Cool the Climate: The Bay Area’s New Strategy for Clean Energy and Transportation
News /The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has adopted a major new climate action strategy that will move the region closer to attaining its goals for cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions. SPUR strongly supports this bold vision for a post-carbon economy by 2050.
Mission Creek Sea Level Rise Adaptation Study
SPUR ReportLocated on San Francisco’s eastern waterfront, Mission Creek is one of the city’s lowest lying areas. That means it's potentially vulnerable to storm surges, flooding and future sea level rise. This study considers different design concepts for how to “hold the line” on sea level rise at Mission Creek and weighs the pros and cons of each.