ADAPTION & PREPARATION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
TIP SHEET FOR HOMEOWNER OR RENTER
KEY LEARNING POINTS
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Even with rapid reduction of carbon emissions, global temperatures will continue to rise
for centuries. Other climate impacts, such as sea level rise, may continue for millenia.1
We need to prepare now for climate change impacts at all levels of society.
Climate preparation planning can and should be rolled into existing planning efforts.
Climate change mitigation and preparation strategies are different, but some overlap.
Areas throughout the United States will be affected by the following impacts of climate
change, according to the United States Global Change Research Program’s 2009 report:
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Stress on water resources.
Crop and livestock production will be increasingly challenged.
Ocean acidification will threaten shellfish and marine food chains.
Sea level rise, storm surges, and salt water intrusion into groundwater and estuaries put
coastal areas at increasing risk.
Increased threats to human health.
Climate change will interact with many social and environmental stresses.
Thresholds will be crossed, leading to large changes in climate and ecosystems.
Future climate change and its impacts depend on choices made today.
Preparing for climate impacts starts with assessing your risk. Well prepared individuals,
businesses and other organizations can build community resilience by reducing their own risk.
Key Topics & Questions for Residents:
How are you currently preparing for extreme heat?
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If you live in an area already experiencing or projected to experience extreme heat,
ensure access to cool space, especially if you live with older adults, sick or disabled.
(For your region’s temperature projections visit: http://www.climatewizard.org/)
Insulate your home. Meet your cooling needs in the most energy efficient manner possible.
Know the location of your community cooling centers. Many communities identify air
conditioned spaces for the public to gather during heatwaves. Contact your city or local
public health department for locations.
Identify older adults, sick or disabled neighbors that may need your help, especially those
with respiratory and heart ailments. Make sure they are able to stay cool and have access
to a cooling center. Check in with them often during heat waves and ensure that they are
using air conditioning if available.
Educate yourself and neighbors about the symptoms of heat illness (dizziness, weakness,
nausea and vomiting) and seek help when needed. Your local public health department
can provide education and prevention information.
Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee. http://www.acia.uaf.edu/pages/scientific.html
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Prepare for power outages as described in the following section.
How are you currently preparing for weather extremes?
Climate change will impact rain, wind, and storm patterns. While some areas may see little
change in annual rainfall, rain events will likely be more intense during shorter time periods.
(For your region’s precipitation projections, visit: http://www.climatewizard.org/)
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Clean gutters often during the late fall, winter and early spring to facilitate runoff.
Create a landscape that filters and absorbs runoff to avoid flooding.
If you have trees on your property, assess tree health and trim or remove those that may
fall in a severe wind event.
If you are in a high wind, hurricane, or tornado prone area, windproof your house, paying
special attention to windows and roofs.
Make sure your property has adequate insurance to cover wind and water damage. Many
insurance companies offer discounts for wind protection improvements.
Check water quality, especially well water, after extreme weather events.
Prepare for power outages as described in the following section.
How are you currently preparing your home for fire events?
Scientists predict an increase in forest fires, especially in the Southeast, Gulf Coast and
Western United States, resulting in property damage and destruction, smoke and pollutionrelated illness, and potential loss of life. (Visit FEMA for additional information and
prevention tips: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/wildfire/)
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Learn to recognize the natural conditions that increase the chances of wildfire.
If possible, roof and side your home with fire resistant (Class C or better) materials.
Cover chimneys, stovepipes and other openings with wire mesh of a half inch or smaller.
Use tempered or multilayered glass for windows and skylights to protect against breakage
from the heat of fires.
Install and maintain smoke alarms in your home.
Install, maintain and teach everyone in your family to use fire extinguishers.
Clear debris and maintain a “defensible space” 30 to 100 feet wide around your home.
Keep your yard and gutters free of pine needles, leaves and other flammable debris.
Thin tree crowns to 15 feet apart and remove ground level branches.
Prune branches and shrubs to 15 feet away from your chimney and stovepipe.
For trees smaller than 18 feet, keep lower branches pruned 6 feet above the ground.
Keep stacked wood at least 100 feet from buildings.
Remove brush from beneath porches and decks and enclose the underside with wire mesh.
Know your evacuation route(s) and identify alternatives.
Contact your local fire department or emergency planner for more guidelines on
protecting yourself and home from wildfires.
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How are you currently preparing for power outages?
Extreme heat and storms may lead to power outages and enforced brownouts. Below are
strategies for more comfortably and safely living without power:
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If you have a fireplace or wood stove, maintain at least a three-day supply of firewood.
Generators as well as solar panels and wind turbines with batteries can provide backup
power in an outage, which may be important if you live with older adults, sick or disabled
persons. If you have backup power, have at least one portable heater.
Stock 3 to 7 days of dry or canned food, water, medication and other supplies in case of
power outages and impassable roads (see “References” for a checklist of what to include.)
How are you currently preparing for flooding events?:
Coastal and Inland flooding are expected due to rising sea level caused by warmer oceans and
melting glacial ice, loss of storm-buffering wetlands and dunes, and an increase in the
number and severity of storm events. Inland areas near floodplains are also susceptible to
flooding, as decreased snowpack will lead to higher winter and early spring streamflow.
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Know evacuation routes and if a storm or a breach is predicted, leave in plenty of time.
Include your pets in evacuation plans. Most emergency shelters will not take pets.
Prepare for power outages and impassable roads.
Be sure your home and property are adequately insured for flood and storm damage.
Have private wells tested after storms for contamination from salinity or polluted runoff.
Prepare your home by:
 Collecting emergency building supplies
 Securing water heaters and shelves to walls
 Raising electrical system components
 Installing check valves in your plumbing to prevent floodwater backup
 Avoid building in floodplains, near cliffs, or areas prone to impacts of sea level rise.
How are you currently preparing your yard and garden?
Growing your own food and supporting local farmers and suppliers has many benefits in
relation to climate impacts, including reducing the carbon footprint from transporting food,
supporting your local economy, and increasing the likelihood of food availability in case of
agricultural and transportation disruptions. Things to consider for your yard and garden:
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Hotter temperatures, heat waves and drought may result in water shortages, so shift to
drought tolerant crops and provide shade during the hottest times of the year.
Use native plants and eliminate invasive species to guard against the increased invasives.
Increased heat, rain and flooding may create more ideal conditions for vector-borne
diseases such as West Nile and Lyme disease. Keep your property free of standing water
(where mosquitoes breed), stay covered when outside, use insect repellent, and keep
screens intact. Check with your local public health department about areas of outbreak
and other protection measures.
If you have a yard that tends to hold water, explore storm water management solutions to
protect against flooding and vector-borne diseases.
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Plant shade trees on the south and west sides to cool your home and absorb water. Plant
evergreen shrubs and trees on the north side to protect against winter winds.
How are you currently preparing for disruption of transportation systems?
Extreme weather, flooding, fire and higher fuel prices may impact transportation
infrastructure and fuel availability, and therefore your mobility and access to food.
 Know your public transportation options and plan alternatives such as telecommuting if
possible.
 Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and leave as early as possible if needed.
How are you currently preparing to protect your health?
According to the Centers for Disease Contract and Prevention (CDC), climate change is
predicted to impact our health due to: heat related illness from higher temperatures; injuries
and structural collapse from flooding; malnutrition from decreased agricultural productivity
from droughts; increased water and food-borne diseases that accompany higher temperatures
and precipitation events; migration of vectors that bear diseases such as West Nile and Lyme
disease; disruptions in long-term care from extreme weather events; increase in stress
related mental health illnesses; and higher rates of asthma, allergies and other respiratory
conditions. (Visit the CDC for additional information and prevention tips:
http://www.cdc.gov/climatechange/)
 Do not exercise or work outdoors on extreme heat, high ozone or pollen count days.
 Cover yourself with clothing and mosquito repellant to prevent bites and related disease.
 During extreme heat, visit a cooling center or use cooling rags in your home, and drink
plenty of liquids.
 Pay attention to “boil” warnings for water, particularly after flooding or extreme events.
 During extreme events, reduce stress and mental illness by keeping yourself busy aiding
others and volunteering.
How are you currently preparing to protect your assets and finances?
There is potential for world-wide markets to be affected by climate change, transportation to
be disrupted, and supply-demand chains to shift as countries face more extreme events and
prolonged change. Questions to consider in your climate risk planning:
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Do your insurer and retirement manager consider climate risk?
If you invest in individual companies, are they considering the physical and regulatory
risks of climate change?
If you own properties, how will they be impacted by climate change?
Can your business survive changes in the economy, population, and disruption of
transportation?
RESOURCES
Lane County Health & Human Services
www.lanecounty.org - 125 East 8th Avenue, Eugene - (541) 682-4035
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