Climate Risk Research

Climate Data that Drives Policy Decisions

The Challenge: The Bay Area is grappling with how to prepare for overlapping climate disasters.
 
The Solution: Greenbelt Alliance is identifying climate risks and nature-based resilience opportunities to drive bold climate leadership where we need it the most, right now. Here’s how…

We’re producing original research that will guide regional conservation and land-use advocacy, that will in turn create policies that incorporate climate risks and adaptation measures, while avoiding development in high-risk areas.

OUR STRATEGY

Educate the Bay Area on its unique “resilience hotspots” capable of providing maximum climate resilience benefits. These hotspots are areas that are already at the greatest risk of climate hazards. They’re also areas that provide opportunities to both increase equitable access to green spaces and harness nature-based solutions that help our most vulnerable communities prepare for, and respond to, climate change. Coyote Valley, 7,400 acres of greenbelt lands between San Jose and Morgan Hill, is a prime example of a resilience hotspot. We’ve been fighting for decades to protect this area’s critical natural resources, which we identified in our signature At Risk report as a place in severe danger of being developed. 

Advocate for equitable conservation and land-use policy solutions that prioritize areas of greatest resilience benefits. For years we have advocated for the establishment and protection of Sonoma County’s Community Separators—the greenbelt lands between the county’s cities and towns. In 2016, we celebrated a major win when over 80% of voters passed Measure K, renewing voter protections for community separators for another 20 years.

Collaborate with frontline communities most vulnerable to climate impacts throughout the region to develop policy implementation recommendations and, together with regional experts, heighten coordination among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community members. We did this when we partnered with Resilient by Design, an exciting year-long project that drew attention to climate impacts, especially sea level rise, and resulted in potential responses for areas around the region. We coordinated regional tours and worked with one of the project’s teams, Team Common Ground, on a design study of the San Pablo Baylands and the Highway 37 corridor.

OUR PROJECTS

At Climate Risk: Bay Area Resilience Hotspots Research & Analysis


We are compiling existing data to analyze the Bay Area's highest climate risk areas, as well as areas that provide the most climate resilience benefits. We will assess and analyze our findings and provide detailed mapping and recommendations in a published report.

Resilience Hotspots Outreach


Building from the Bay Area's Resilience Hotspots analysis, we will host a series of workshops and experiential learning opportunities to raise awareness of these hotspots and the actions needed to protect these critical areas.

Reports & Research
CC Ciraolo

“If You Want Something Done, Turn to the Powerful Women:” Sonoma County Organization Empowers Latinx Community

Latino Service Providers is a Greenbelt Alliance partner and we are honored to spotlight the women-led organization with a special interview this Women’s History Month. Alayza Cervantes found her passion to serve the Latino community while studying psychology and Chicano Studies at UC Davis. Born in Sonoma County as a first generation Mexican American, she

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CC Ciraolo March 8, 2023
Greenbelt Alliance

Seven Intersectional Environmental Organizations You Should Support this Black History Month (And Always)

We already know that California is on the frontline of the climate crisis. But we can’t talk about climate change without recognizing that Black communities and communities of color are being hit by climate hazards harder than others. The Greenlining Institute defines frontline communities as “communities—including people of color, immigrants, low-income individuals, people with disabilities,

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Greenbelt Alliance February 21, 2023
Greenbelt Alliance

At Risk: The Bay Area Greenbelt

Since 1989, we’ve taken stock of the Bay Area’s open space protection accomplishments and what’s left to do in our signature report, At Risk: The Bay Area Greenbelt. This report is the definitive research on the farms, ranches, and natural areas at risk of being lost forever to sprawl development. Read more.

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Greenbelt Alliance February 15, 2018
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