California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE)

California’s coastlines are vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and sea‐level rise. Coastal managers at local, regional, state, and federal levels will need to plan and implement adaptation measures to cope with these consequences.  This study explored the information needs of California’s coastal managers, who confront the growing risks from climate change. It examined the challenges managers face presently, what information they use to perform their responsibilities, and what additional information and other knowledge resources they may need to begin planning for climate change. This study was conducted in the broader context of how science can best support policy makers and resource managers. Based on extensive interview and survey research in the state, researchers found that managers prefer certain types of information and information sources and would benefit from various learning opportunities (in addition to that information) to better use the available climate change information. Coastal managers are highly concerned about climate change and willing to address it in their work, but they require financial and technical assistance from other agencies at the state and federal level to do so. This study revealed a strong need for individuals or organizations to play an intermediary role between science and practice.