Temperature-related impacts from anthropogenic climate change are likely to affect the county in several ways. Increased average temperatures, along with more frequent extreme heat days and waves, will likely exacerbate existing high temperatures in developed areas that experience the phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect (UHIE). In built-up areas, vegetation is sparse, and roofs and pavement dominate the landscape, absorbing and retaining heat during daytime hours and releasing heat at night. Other human activities that contribute to the UHIE include combustion-engine vehicles and air conditioning. To help curb the UHIE in developed areas, the County will need to incorporate “green” and “cool” infrastructure into new and existing development. Examples of green infrastructure include trees and climate-appropriate landscaping for increased shade and reduced surface area of pavement. Ventura County will also need to incorporate cool pavement and cool roofs in new and existing development while also planting more shade trees in parking lots.
Goal: HAZ-11
To improve resilience to increasing temperatures resulting from climate change.
The County shall identify and protect critical infrastructure locations that are vulnerable to damage from extreme heat.
FB
IGC
PSR
SO
CAP
The County shall work with public, private, and nonprofit partners to limit impacts of climate change on Designated Disadvantaged Communities by focusing planning efforts and interventions on communities with the highest need and ensuring representatives of these communities have a role in the decision-making process for directing climate change response.
MPSP
SO
CAP
EJ
HC
The County shall support efforts of agencies and organizations that provide effective education and outreach to Designated Disadvantaged Communities on the effects of climate change, including increasing temperatures, wildfires, flooding, sea level rise, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease prevention, and other public health effects.
PI
CAP
EJ
The County shall work with State and County health agencies and local organizations to provide educational programs and resources targeted at reducing the impacts of exposure to sun and heat.
IGC
JP
PI
CAP
EJ
HC
The County shall expand partnerships with local governments, non-government organizations, churches, and businesses to provide additional cooling centers, particularly in designated disadvantaged communities.
IGC
JP
PI
SO
CAP
EJ
HC
The County shall encourage development to include new building designs or retrofits to improve building performance through strategic building design features, including to reduce energy usage, solar-reflective white roofs, solar panels, green roofs (vegetation on roofs), and battery storage for energy.
RDR
CAP
HC
The County shall work with utility providers to underground overhead power lines (both existing and as part of discretionary development) to increase the resilience of the energy grid and reduce wildfire potential, especially in Existing Communities.
JP
CAP
The County shall promote the use of urban greening techniques, such as cool pavement technology, parking lot shading, landscaping, and other methods to offset climate change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for discretionary development and Countyinitiated projects.
FB
RDR
SO
CAP
HC
The County shall promote the use of solar photovoltaic carports for discretionary development and County-initiated projects.
RDR
CAP