Climate change is already impacting Baltimore residents, businesses and visitors. As atmospheric warming from greenhouse gases persists, Baltimore residents can expect to experience;
- Extreme temperatures
- Excessive demand for cooling power, increasing demand on the electrical grid
- Fluctuations between flooding and drought
- Sea-level rise
- Changes in eco-systems, including decline and loss of some species and increases of others.
- Increased frequency of severe winter weather events
- Extended heatwaves and increased number of days exceeding 90 degrees.
- Increased incidence of asthma and other respiratory conditions
- Higher summer temperatures at night
All of these changes have the capacity to impact society, economy and infrastructure throughout Baltimore.
To mitigate the severity of these impacts, and adapt to those we know are risks, the City of Baltimore is continually working to instill resilience into our systems and infrastructure. In addition to a multitude of ongoing projects and initiatives, several plans have been created to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change;
Climate Action Plan (CAP)—Developed in 2012 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a range of strategies targeted at reducing the amount of fossil fuels needed for everyday living.
Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project (DP3)—Created by the Department of Planning as an effort to address existing hazards while simultaneously preparing for predicted hazards due to climate change.