A city synonymous with its climate

In a city that calls its climate “perfect,” where the coastline includes miles of America's most beautiful beaches, where temperatures are high almost all year round and annual total rainfall inches are measured in single digits, concern about the dangers of climate disruption seem out of place. Can laid-back Southern Californians even relate to the threat of global warming, much less take action?

In fact, San Diego's enviable climate makes it a particularly apt setting for civic discussions about climate change. Two of the area's most important economic activities – tourism and agriculture – rely on the exceptional climate to continue flourishing, yet are vulnerable to rising temperatures. A growing population puts increasing pressure on energy and water, resources that are primarily imported from far away. Attention to climate issues will be essential to sustaining the city's celebrated quality of life, including the availability of fresh air, clean water, and affordable utilities. Shifting temperature and rainfall may lead to a significant decrease in agricultural products and may diminish the region's desirability as a tourist destination.

Moreover, the global threat is not remote at all. Climate change at the local level is already well documented. The region's average temperature has been increasing over the past century, and the number of days with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 °C) has risen even more sharply.