San Francisco Bay Area Region Report

The San Francisco Bay Area spans nine counties and 100 cities and towns with a population of more than 7 million people and a $750 billion economy (~30% of California’s total). The Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and a warm, sun-drenched summer, supports extraordinary biological diversity and a thriving wine and dairy industry. This report examines the potential impacts of 21 st century climate change on the physical climate, social systems and built environment, and natural and agricultural systems of the Bay Area. The geography of the region sets the stage for understanding how rising temperatures, changes in precipitation and fog, and rising sea levels will impact the region (section 1). We then examine projected impacts on social systems and infrastructure, from coastal flooding to wildfire and public health, with attention to the effects of social inequity on the vulnerability and resilience of local communities (section 2). Finally, we examine the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and open space conservation, and the effects on agriculture, with a focus on vineyards and rangelands (section 3). Where possible, we summarize proposed climate mitigation and adaptation strategies in a regional context to highlight potential actions and solutions necessary to meet these diverse challenges.