Climate Change

Climate change refers to global warming and long term shifts in weather patterns.

People are experience the significant impacts of climate change, which include more extreme weather events like drought, flooding, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Gases that trap the heat in the atmosphere are known as greenhouse gases (GHG). More heat trapped in the atmosphere leads to much more than hotter average temperatures also known as global warming, which in turn contributes to more intense storms, flooding, drought, extreme heat events, wildfires, ocean acidification, and sea level rise. These effects are considered climate change. Human-caused climate change is well understood and widely accepted by the scientific community. Although many changes to climate are governed by natural processes, human activities have added GHGs to the atmosphere at a rate that is unprecedented in Earth’s history. For more information about emissions in Cupertino, visit the Climate Action Page.

The 2018 National Climate Assessment predicts changes to Cupertino for the period of 2035 - 2064, and identifies areas of top concern:

An average of more dry spells — periods of consecutive days without precipitation — are projected per year.
Frequency of coastal flooding may increase as global sea level rises 0.5 - 2 feet.
Ocean warming and acidification may affect homes and other coastal infrastructure, marine flora and fauna, and people who depend on coastal resources.
Wildfire risk may change as the length of dry spells changes. Dry spells are projected to increase by 8 days.
Historically, the longest yearly dry spell in Cupertino averaged 87 days.
Extreme temperatures on the hottest days of the year are projected to increase by 5°F.
Historically, extreme temperatures in Cupertino averaged 95°F.

What can you do? Prepare for Climate Change

Solutions to climate challenges rely on mitigation, adaptation and resilience strategies. Climate resilience refers to a community’s ability to anticipate, accommodate, and positively adapt to or thrive amidst changing climate conditions and hazard events. YOU PLAY A PART!

Take Action to reduce the impacts of climate change, and mitigate the risk of climate-related disasters.

Participate in climate action within your community. Visit the Environment/Sustainability pages to learn about how to engage in events, workshops and commissions related to sustainability and climate resilience.

Other ways to take action:

Read More about the City Climate Action Plan, and steps taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the City.

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What is the city doing? City Actions

Understanding our greenhouse gas impacts is the first step to climate action. Since 2015, the City’s Sustainability Division has been studying and implementing changes to the community wide and municipal operations. Read the most recent City’s Climate Action Progress Repor(PDF, 7MB)t.

Additionally, in 2022 the City updated its Climate Action Plan. This plan is a roadmap to reduce the greenhouse gasses to net zero by 2040. These climate action efforts include developing programs, policies, partnership, studies, and equity considerations and providing resources related to energy, waste, transportation, water, adaptation, and climate resiliency.

In response to the risk of climate change the City has identified six hazards of concern: adverse air quality impacts, extreme heat, extreme precipitation/storm flooding, wildfire, drought, and sea level rise. Several impacts of these hazards are being felt now and are projected to intensify in the future.

To protect people, assets, and natural systems, the City is engaging in climate adaptation and mitigation. This is defined as responding to actual or expected climate impacts, with the goal of mitigating harms or taking advantage of opportunities. More frequent periods[VM1] of drought and extreme heat due to climate change has resulted in a lengthening of the fire season. Dry spells during the winter months, especially when combined with winds and dead fuels, may result in fires that burn with a high intensity and rate. Severe weather events happening near Cupertino may impact the City, with more severe impacts possible as a broader geographic region is affected. With the increase in extreme weather events, regional transportation and communications lifelines are increasingly at risk. The City of Cupertino has reduced our greenhouse gas emissions over the past eight years but there is more work to be done. These climate action efforts include developing programs, policies, and resources related to energy, waste, transportation, water, adaptation and climate resiliency.

Cupertino's goal is to reduce our City's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2040.

The City is following the goals and development path of the Paris Climate Agreement and supports regional, state, and national policies which help reduce global emissions. Cupertino’s path toward creating a healthy, livable and vibrant place for its current and future residents to learn, work and play is outlined in its Climate Action Plan. An additional greenhouse gas inventory is included in the Climate Action Plan 2.0. visit engagecupertino.org/climate-action to learn more.. Learn more about the City Current, Upcoming and Long-term work plans on the Climate Action page. Progress reports are also available on this page.