Welcome to the California Schools Climate Hazards Dashboard!
This dashboard provides localized climate hazard data for over 10,000 public schools across California. Use this dashboard to explore your climate hazard risks. The following climate hazards can be viewed:
How to get started!
1. Find your school: Select or type your City, School District, and School Name in the drop down menus below.
2. View your school's hazard summary: See the hazards your school may be facing shown on a scale of 0 to 5.
3. Explore more: Head on over to the menu on the left and explore your hazards.
Select your school:
Hazards Summary
What do these diagrams tell us?
The hazards overview provides a summary of the individual hazards each school faces in relation to schools in the rest of the state. It serves as a jumping off point to dive deeper into specific hazards in the "Explore Your Hazards tab".How was the hazards overview created?
Each school receives a single number summary for each hazard. For extreme heat and extreme precipitation, these are the number of expected days of extreme heat and extreme precipitation between 2030 and 2035. For wildfire, this is the average wildfire hazard potential score. For flooding, this is the percentage of the school community area that falls within a high risk flood zone. For sea level rise, this is the percentage of the school community area affected by projected 2050 sea levels and a 100-year coastal storm. A score of 0 represents no risk based on the chosen dataset and timeframe. A score of 1-5 represents lower to higher risk. The total score is the sum of all of the individual hazard scores.
Source: View the data sources for each individual hazard in the “Explore Your Hazards” tab.
Extreme Heat
What does this diagram tell us?
The diagram shows the estimated number of extreme heat days the school may experience from 2006 - 2064 in a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions (yellow) and High Greenhouse Gas Emissions (red) scenario. These scenarios represent two different climate adaptation methods, where under a reduced scenario, emissions may be eliminated through the use of renewable energy sources. Under a high scenario, fossil fuels will continue to be burned, contributing to greater greenhouse gas emissions.
How is extreme heat measured?
An extreme heat event is a day where maximum temperatures are above 98°F. This threshold was calculated by determining the temperature that was exceeded by 98% of all historic extreme heat events from 1961-1990.
This data was obtained from Cal-Adapt LOCA Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Projections, but is not endorsed by Cal-Adapt.
Source: https://ucanr-igis.github.io/caladaptr/index.html
Wildfire
What do these diagrams tell us?
The map on the right shows whether wildland vegetation in your community is susceptible to wildfire. The map on the left shows historical data from 2015 of wildfire risk for the same area. A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that burns in wildland vegetation, often in rural areas.
How is wildfire hazard potential measured?
Wildfire hazard potential describes the likelihood of wildfire based on past fire occurrences, weather conditions and patterns, and the types of vegetation present. Each square measures 270 x 270 meters and falls into the categories of very low, low, moderate, high, and very high.
While wildfires can affect developed areas as well, they are treated as a separate category in the data.
These maps use the United States Forest Service’s Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States, but are not endorsed by the USFS.
Note that while the maps show data from different timeframes, the basemap and satellite imagery shown are from 2024.
Source: USFS 2023. https://www.fs.usda.gov/rds/archive/catalog/RDS-2015-0047-4
Extreme Precipitation
What does this diagram tell us?
The diagram shows the estimated number of extreme precipitation days the school may experience from 2006 - 2064 in a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions (light blue) and High Greenhouse Gas Emissions (dark blue) scenario. These scenarios represent two different climate adaptation methods, where under a reduced scenario, emissions may be eliminated through the use of renewable energy sources. Under a high scenario, fossil fuels will continue to be burned, contributing to greater greenhouse gas emissions.
How is extreme precipitation measured?
An extreme precipitation event is a day where precipitation totals measure over 0.7 cumulative inches. This threshold was calculated by determining the amount of precipitation that was exceeded by 98% of all historic precipitation events from 1961-1990.
This data was obtained from Cal-Adapt LOCA Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Projections, but is not endorsed by Cal-Adapt.
Source: Cal-Adapt 2024. https://ucanr-igis.github.io/caladaptr/
Flooding
What does this diagram tell us?
This map shows which flood risk zone that your school is in, which can range from “High” or “Moderate to Low” risk. Some areas may have “Undetermined” risk.
How is flood risk measured?
High flood hazard areas are labeled as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps and are measured as having a 1-percent annual chance of flood, also known as a 100-year flood. Moderate flood hazard areas are areas where flooding is reduced but not completely removed, also known as having a 0.2-percent annual chance of flood or 500-year flood. Low flood hazard areas have minimal flood hazard with areas outside the SFHA and are higher in elevation when compared to 0.2-percent annual chance of flood areas.
Additionally, “Undetermined”” risk areas refer to areas on the FEMA maps where there are possible but undetermined, flood hazards or unstudied areas. All areas in the United States are considered to have some level of risk.
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps, but is not endorsed by FEMA.
Source: FEMA 2024. https://msc.fema.gov/portal/advanceSearch
Sea Level Rise
with a Coastal Storm
with a Coastal Storm
What do these diagrams tell us?
These maps show the extent of flooding during a modeled 100-year coastal storm with two different sea level rise scenarios. The map on the left includes the sea level scenario from year 2000, while the map on the right includes the projected year 2050 sea level rise scenario of 0.8 feet.
How is sea level rise measured?
Sea level rise includes permanent flooding due to increased sea levels as well as temporary flooding during a modeled 100-year coastal storm. A 100-year storm is a storm so strong that it only has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year, creating storm surges up to 4 meters high.
While sea level rise might be a slow process, the combined effects of increased sea levels and a 100-year coastal storm pose a flood hazard to coastal communities throughout California.
Currently, sea level rise data from this source is only available for coastal areas south of Point Arena in Mendocino County. Coastal communities north of there still may experience the effects of sea level rise and a coastal storm.
These maps use data from the United States Geological Survey’s Coastal Storm Modeling System, but are not endorsed by the USGS.
Note that while the maps show data from different timeframes, the basemap and satellite imagery shown are from 2024.
Source: USGS 2023. https://ourcoastourfuture.org/hazard-map/
Information
What is climate adaptation?
Climate adaptation is a response to the effects or impacts of climate change based on ecological, social, or economic needs of communities.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) identifies three main categories of climate adaptation options, which are further divided into sub-categories: (1) structural and physical options, (2) social options, and (3) institutional options.
Some examples include:
• Upgrading buildings to insulate them and install efficient cooling
and air filtration systems; increasing shade and drought-resistant
landscaping in schoolyards
Source: LPA Design Studios (2023)
• Updating school curricula to help students and their communities understand what they can do to build a more resilient future and provide resources to take climate action
Source: Seyma Bayram/NPR (2023)
• Working with educational institutions to commit to sustainable frameworks
Source: Mario Barosevcic (2022)
Why schools and climate adaptation?
Increasing our understanding of climate hazard risks at a local scale could enhance our abilities to cope with disasters in our communities. Disasters related to climate change are an intergenerational issue and can disrupt schools. More frequent extreme weather events will increase the likelihood that schools will need to respond to climate-driven emergencies and public health issues. This also negatively affects student learning, school facilities, access to much-needed resources, and district budgets.
Additionally, climate change disproportionately impacts communities in California. Schools that serve more historically under resourced populations will likely be more severely impacted.
Where can I find additional resources?
Here are some kid- and teenager-friendly resources that have been vetted by climate scientists and science educators.
• CLEAN is a database of resources supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• Subject to Climate offers news articles and lesson plans written for fifth graders and up.
• The New York Times’s Learning Network curates kid-friendly material that’s designed for teachers but may also be helpful for parents. Start with their Climate Change Guide for Kids
To see how California is doing overall, check out this summary of California actions. You can dig further by looking into whether your local jurisidiction is working on a climate adaptation plan. This information is typically found on your local jurisdiction’s planning department website.
About
The California Schools Climate Hazards dashboard is intended as a resource for students and teachers to use as a resource in the classroom and at home. By exploring climate hazards locally, students and teachers can become empowered to make better decisions for their communities.
The dashboard was created by a team of graduate students at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UC Santa Barbara in 2024 as part of a pilot project funded by the National Science Foundation, the Climate Adaptation Solutions Accelerator (CASA). The GitHub repository for this dashboard can be found at the following link: https://github.com/CASAschools
Meet the CASAschools Team!
Liane Chen
Liane Chen received her Master of Environmental Data Science at Bren School in June 2024. Before Bren, she built her extensive environmental planning experience around California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Quality Act (NEPA). Combining her passion for climate adaptation, environmental planning, and data science, Liane hopes to help communities and ecosystems become more resilient. Liane is especially interested in presenting solutions to pressing environmental concerns in accessible and inclusive ways.
Charles (Charlie) Curtin
Charlie Curtin received his Master of Environmental Data Science at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UC Santa Barbara in June 2024, and his B.S. in GeoDesign from the University of Southern California in 2022. Before coming to Bren, he worked with communities in Eastside Los Angeles on increasing tree canopy cover to improve air quality and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands. He plans to use his technical skills gained at the Bren School to work towards creating more sustainable and healthy urban communities.
Kristina Glass
Kristina Glass is a recent graduate of Environmental Data Science at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UC Santa Barbara. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, a Minor in Public Policy, and a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Temple University, her interests are focused on the politics of the environment and how they impact global communities, explored through the lens of critical geography. Her data science interests are centered on developing accessible data visualizations to effectively communicate research with a broad audience, and in bringing clarity to data findings in scientific and academic writing and research. She hopes to use her education from Bren to increase the accessibility of science communication and to aid in her future educational pursuits, studying the socio-cultural interactions between humans and the environment.
Hazel Vaquero
Hazel is a recent graduate of the Bren School at UCSB and has obtained a Master of Environmental Data Science. Hazel is passionate about the interconnection of public health and the environment, using data science to advance this field. Her research experience at institutions like NOAA and NSF has fueled her enthusiasm for environmental data science. Hazel is particularly interested in waste management and education, recognizing their critical roles in sustainability and public health. She aims to leverage data science to analyze and mitigate the impacts of environmental pollution on human health.
Additional Contacts
This project was in collaboration with faculty at UC Santa Barbara. The CASAschool team also includes:
Feel free to contact them with any questions about the project!
Glossary
100 Year Flood - An area with a 1% annual chance of flooding. Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency500 Year Flood - An area with a 0.2% annual chance of flooding. Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency
100 Year Storm - A large rainfall event that has a 1% chance of occurring in a given year. Source: US Geological Survey
Climate Adaptation - A response to the effects or impacts of climate change based on ecological, social, or economic needs of communities. Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Climate Hazards - A climatic event with the potential to cause harm across various domains including human, structural, environmental, and economic. Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Extreme Heat Event - A day where the maximum temperature exceeds 98°F. Source: Cal-Adapt
Extreme Precipitation Event - A day where the maximum precipitation exceeds 0.7 inches. Source: Cal-Adapt
Flooding - When dry land is overwhelmed by water from a floodplain. Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Floodplain - A flat area of land near a body of water. Source: National Geographic
Greenhouse Gas Emissions - A concentration of four major gases (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and Flourinated Gases) and other compounds that trap heat in the atmosphere. Source: Environmental Protection Agency
High Emissions Scenario (RCP 8.5) - A scenario where greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise throughout the 21st century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines this scenario as Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, where the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere will cause the earth to warm at 8.5 watts per square meter. Source: Cal-Adapt and Climate Nexus
Percentile - A value that falls within a range of 0% - 100%, where the value is equal to or below that percentage Source: Merriam Webster
Reduced Emissions Scenario (RCP 4.5) - A scenario where greenhouse gas emissions peak around 2040 and decline through the rest of the 21st century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines this scenario as Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5, where the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere will cause the earth to warm at 4.5 watts per square meter. Source: Cal-Adapt and Climate Nexus
School-Community Hub - A connection between K-12 schools and communities which is achieved through integrated support services and community engagement. Source: Teo et. al 2022
Sea Level Rise - Flooding in coastal areas due to the combined effects of a 100-year storm, erosion, and rising ocean levels. Source: US Geological Survey
Threshold - The lowest boundary for climate events that, when past, results in extreme climate conditions. Source: Cool Science
Wildfire - An unplanned burning of vegetation and wildland. Source: Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory
User Guide
Click the Video to Watch a Brief Tutorial!
California Schools Climate Hazards Dashboard Text Tutorial:
Welcome Page
1. To find your school: Select or type your City, School District, and School Name in the drop down menus.
2. View your school’s: Location on a map, Hazard Summary, and school closures due to climate hazards
Hazard Summary
1. Use this page to view your school’s combined Hazard Summary Score.
2. Click “Highlight Interactive Elements” in the top right to view the interactive elements on the page.
3. Click the drop down menu to select a different school in the same district. (To view a school in a different city or district, go back to the Welcome page and make a new selection).
Explore Your Hazards: Bar Graphs (Extreme Heat and Extreme Precipitation)
1. Toggle on and off the emissions scenarios by clicking on the legend at the top left of the graphs.
2. Hover over the bars to view information for each individual year.
3. Use the buttons on the top right of the graph to download the plot as a PNG, highlight specific areas of the plot, zoom in and out, and more!
4. Click “Highlight Interactive Elements” in the top right to view the interactive elements on the page.
5. Click the drop down menu to select a different school in the same district. (To view a school in a different city or district, go back to the Welcome page and make a new selection).
Explore Your Hazards: Maps (Wildfire, Flooding, and Sea Level Rise)
1. Zoom in and out on the maps by clicking the ”+” and ”-” buttons on the top left of the maps.
2. Click on the box on the top right of each map to change the base map and turn on and off the data layers.
3. Click “Highlight Interactive Elements” in the top right to view the interactive elements on the page.
4. Click the drop down menu to select a different school in the same district. (To view a school in a different city or district, go back to the Welcome page and make a new selection).