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Table 13. Climate Adaptation Challenges <br />Complementary to mitigation, climate adaptation is intended to be proactive. These efforts focus on building <br />systems to withstand not only current but future climate change impacts. Approaches to adaptation include <br />a wide range of solutions. Some examples may include building or retrofitting infrastructure to better manage <br />increased flooding or natural solutions such as habitat restoration. Adaptation may also be associated with <br />behavior and policy changes, such as public awareness campaigns and updating regulatory codes. <br />Sea Level Rise & • Rising sea levels threaten coastal infrastructure, including roads, homes, and businesses. <br />Coastal Erosion Erosion and flooding can lead to significant damage and displacement. <br />• Coastal ecosystems, such as wetlands and reefs, are at risk, impacting biodiversity and the <br />natural protection these systems provide against storms. <br />Increased <br />• Rising global air and sea surface temperatures are changing rainfall patterns which may impact <br />Frequency & <br />the frequency and intensity of future drought and extreme rainfall events. <br />Intensity of <br />• More frequent and intense storms can cause extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and <br />Severe Weather <br />agricultural lands. Severe rainfall events, compounded by flooding and landslides, increase risks <br />Events <br />to critical infrastructure and communities and disrupt emergency services. <br />• Tropical cyclones are becoming more powerful and possibly more frequent due to climate <br />change, which compounds risks from other hazards. Tropical cyclones and storm surges pose <br />risks to infrastructure and jeopardize public safety. <br />• Enhancing emergency response and preparedness capabilities to manage more frequent <br />extreme weather events is a significant challenge. <br />Temperature • Temperature changes can affect crop yields and livestock health, impacting the island's <br />Changes agricultural sector, which is a key part of the local economy and food security. <br />• Native plant and animal species may face stress due to altered temperatures, potentially leading <br />to shifts in ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. <br />• Higher temperatures and prolonged dry periods increase the risk of wildfires, which can <br />devastate large areas, threaten communities, and degrade air quality. <br />Water Resources • Altered rainfall patterns and increased evaporation rates can lead to droughts, affecting water <br />Management supply for residential, agricultural, and industrial use. Drought has cascading effects on <br />agriculture, native ecosystems, social systems, and the economy. <br />• Ensuring the sustainable recharge of aquifers, which are critical for freshwater supply, becomes <br />more challenging with changing precipitation patterns. <br />Impact on • The visitor industry, a major economic driver, can be severely affected by the loss of beaches, <br />Tourism reefs, cultural and historic sites, which are major attractions. <br />• Tourists' perceptions of climate risk may influence their decision to visit, impacting local <br />businesses. <br />Cultural & Social • Rising sea levels and extreme weather events may displace communities, particularly those <br />Challenges located in vulnerable coastal areas. <br />• Coastal ecosystems as well as many cultural and historical sites are at risk from coastal flooding <br />and storm surge. <br />Governance & • Effective climate adaptation requires coordinated efforts across various levels of government <br />Policy and adequate funding, which can be challenging to secure and manage. <br />Implementation . Ensuring community involvement in planning and decision -making processes is essential for <br />successful adaptation strategies. <br />3.0 Addressing Climate Change for Island -Wide Health I County of Hawaii General Plan <br />65 <br />