California has released its Fifth Climate Change Assessment, providing new climate science, projections, and research to assist communities, policymakers, and regional leaders in preparing for the impacts of climate change. The assessment, released on October 22, 2026, aims to inform climate resilience and adaptation efforts across the state.
The Sierra Business Council (SBC), based in Truckee, CA, played a significant role as a Lead Author of the assessment’s Sierra Nevada regional chapter. The organization contributed its regional expertise to this statewide initiative, focusing on how climate change will affect the mountain range.
The comprehensive assessment compiles scientific research and updated climate projections, designed to support informed decision-making throughout California. Its findings, both regional and statewide, are intended to help communities better understand climate-related risks and identify opportunities to prepare for future conditions.
For the Sierra Nevada, the assessment highlights significant implications of climate change for the natural systems, infrastructure, water resources, and local economies upon which communities depend. The regional chapter serves as a crucial resource for understanding these challenges and informing strategies aimed at strengthening the region’s resilience.
Steve, President of Sierra Business Council, emphasized the broader significance of the Sierra. He stated that "What happens in the Sierra has implications far beyond our region," noting the water supply for millions of Californians, as well as the forests, communities, and economies vital to the area. Steve underscored the shared interest in comprehending and preparing for a changing climate, adding that the assessment equips communities, policymakers, and regional partners with the necessary science to plan ahead, prioritize investments, and collaborate on solutions that bolster resilience across the Sierra.
As an organization, Sierra Business Council functions as a regional convener and cross-sector partner, operating at the intersection of economic development, climate action, and community resilience. The council brings together public agencies, businesses, community organizations, and other regional partners to advance solutions that support both the long-term health of the Sierra and the communities that call it home. The Fifth Climate Change Assessment provides an important foundation for this work, connecting the latest scientific understanding with the planning, collaboration, and investments needed to prepare for a changing climate.
The Sierra Nevada regional chapter involved a diverse group of experts. A Coordinating Lead Author from the University of California, Merced, guided the chapter’s development. Lead Authors represented the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Sierra Business Council. Contributing Authors came from institutions such as the University of California, Santa Barbara, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Point Blue, California State University, Long Beach, and the California Department of Water Resources. Technical advisors from The Nature Conservancy, United States Geological Survey, and United States Forest Service provided specialized guidance. Community advisors from organizations like the Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation and Sierra Nevada Alliance, along with tribal advisors from the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribe, Wuksachi Indian Tribe, and North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, as well as the Washoe and Nisenan communities, offered vital regional perspectives. An Associate Editor from the University of California, Santa Barbara, also contributed to the effort.
Founded in 1994, the Sierra Business Council works to strengthen the interconnected systems of community, climate, and economy throughout the Sierra Nevada. Through regional collaboration, policy engagement, and cross-sector partnerships, SBC strives to increase resilience in Sierra communities and advance solutions that benefit both the region and California as a whole.