Carmel city council says it’s planning for climate change
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (KION) Carmel-by-the-sea is taking on climate change in an effort to protect the community from potential damage they say it will cause down the line. The city has created a "climate committee" to do so.
The committee just had its second meeting earlier this month, where councilmembers used the words "adaptation" and "mitigation" frequently in discussing its mission.
This committee says it is trying to mold the city around a changing climate because, as it is, Carmel-by-the-Sea could face serious damage in the future. Specifically, damage to businesses, homes, and the shoreline. Based on its location, Carmel is uniquely exposed to the elements and the potential risks. Some on the committee recognize that no everyone is on board with the cause.
“We believe that this is happening," Carmel-by-the-Sea city councilmember Jeff Baron said. "And if other governments—if the federal government—or the government of—the government of South Carolina—doesn’t agree, as I said before, I’m not responsible for their actions. You know, my responsibility is to protect our community.”
They say the first step is identifying the ways in which the community could be affected. Then, they'll decide on what kids of actions--if any--need to be taken to protect specific areas of the city. That could involve doing something along the shoreline to combat rising sea levels or thinking about how to help businesses recover in the event that they're flooded by severe rain.
“Maybe even in terms of sea walls, for example," Carmel-by-the-Sea city councilmember Carrie Theis said. "Do we need to build up our sea wall to be stronger? Or are we going to say ‘we’re just going to let the beach...erode and we’re okay with that?’”
Carmel is following in the footsteps of some other Central Coast cities, including Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo and Pacific Grove. They have all at least evaluated the threat to their communities. Some have gone so far as to make action plans.
This committee has not proposed any solutions yet. Right now, councilmembers say they're working on identifying the problems climate changes poses in their community.
