Toxic Tides

Project Background

Over three feet of sea level rise (SLR) are expected by the end of the century if little is done to slow climate change. In California, the areas projected to experience flooding events by 2100 are home to 145,000 residents, as well as at least 400 hazardous facilities including power plants, refineries, industrial facilities, and hazardous waste sites. SLR poses risks for such facilities experiencing flooding events that can potentially expose nearby residents to hazardous pollutants.

Because many of these facilities are disproportionately located in poor communities and communities of color, climate resilience strategies must address the disproportionate impacts of SLR and associated flooding threats faced by environmental justice communities.

Although prior research in California has focused on the risks of SLR to property, little work has holistically examined its environmental health and social equity implications statewide. With an adequate understanding of the intersection of SLR, hazardous facilities, and environmental justice, targeted action can prevent the most adverse impacts.