California’s Fifth Climate Assessment:
Central Coast Report

About Us:

The Central Coast Report for California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment will cover the current and projected climate impacts and adaptations for the six-county area between Santa Cruz and northern Ventura Counties.

We invite you to be part of this important effort.

A highlighted area on a map of the Central Coast region, from just above Santa Rosa in the North to Near Gilroy area in the South. From Farallon Islands in the West to Fairfield in the East.

Area Covered: The Central Coast

The Central Coast is dominated by extensive natural and working landscapes, including international tourism destinations like the Big Sur Coast and key agricultural regions like the Salinas Valley that produce berry, lettuce, and wine crops, among others. The region’s cities and towns support both these sectors of the economy as well as others, including fisheries and a growing technology sector. These diverse communities include members of more than twenty recognized California Native American tribes.

Map of All Fifth Assessment Regions

Rocky hill overlooks beach and developed town.
A field of crops.

California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment

The Fifth Climate Change Assessment is a comprehensive initiative led by the Governor’s Office of Land use and Climate Innovation (LCI), in partnership with the California Strategic Growth Council, California Energy Commission, and California Natural Resources Agency. This multi-year research effort aims to advance actionable science by developing updated assessments every 5-8 years.

View the 2018’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment

Visit the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
A visual representation of the structure and products of "California's Fifth Climate Assessment." The main components are organized in a hierarchical flowchart. On the left, a dark blue panel introduces the assessment, describing its products as "a suite of research and tools that report the impacts and risks of climate change, based on the best available science." A smaller logo featuring a map of California and a globe adds to the visual identity.

Working with Our Communities

The Assessment emphasizes working with local communities and organizations to understand their concerns, needs, and strategies. Many disadvantaged communities are likely to experience heightened climate impacts and vulnerabilities, and we are seeking through the report development process to highlight opportunities to address these environmental justice issues. By synthesizing knowledge across the Central Coast, the Regional Report seeks to provide communities with the best available science and information on promising adaptation efforts to inform and empower their planning and decision-making processes.

We invite you to be part of this important effort:

Get Involved

Related Resources:

Water Management for Sustainability under Climate Change