Op-Ed: Climate Change — Diminishing the risk and averting harm

A recent Op-Ed in the Daily Democrat acknowledged that burning fossil fuels is contributing to climate warming, pointed to some predicted consequences of climate change that have not materialized, and concluded: “we can adapt.”

However, there are TWO ways to respond to climate change. Mitigation means reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing it. Adaptation means preparing for and reducing damage from the changes we cannot avoid. We need both.

The Op-Ed states that globally “there’s been no increase in drought.” But Yolo County’s focus is on impacts that are local. Yolo County farmers and residents are well aware of drought and what comes with it — water shortages, reduced agricultural production, and raging wildfires.

During the critically dry years of 2021 and 2022, average groundwater levels in Yolo County’s representative monitoring wells dropped 18 and 17 feet during the irrigation season. When groundwater drops that far, wells may have to pump from greater depths, some shallow wells can go dry, and less groundwater remains in reserve for the next drought. Three wetter years have helped replenish that supply, but as of fall 2025 groundwater levels were still about three feet below fall 2019 levels.

Yolo County has a groundwater sustainability plan, monitors groundwater conditions, and is pursuing projects and practices to conserve water and recharge groundwater storage. That’s adaptation.

The Op-Ed dismisses concern over bee population decline. But decline in pollinator populations is a documented reality driven by habitat loss, disease, and pesticide exposure. The decline matters to Yolo County’s agriculture-based economy. Researchers, farmers, beekeepers and communities have responded to protect pollinators and restore habitat.

Pioneering research from institutions like UC Davis has helped to successfully mitigate bee colony threats leading to measurable recovery in specific populations, but continued diligence is required to secure their long-term survival.

When intervention succeeds, that is evidence the intervention worked—not that the original problem didn’t exist.

There is plenty of room for reasonable disagreement about which climate policies make sense. But the fact that some predictions have not materialized, or that people have successfully responded to climate change impacts, doesn’t mean we should stop preparing for risks we can reasonably foresee.

Mitigation addresses the cause. Adaptation reduces the consequences. The Yolo County Climate Action Plan — developed over three years with extensive public engagement and consultation with scientists and climate change experts — does BOTH.

Continued engagement with and by stakeholders, non-government organizations and businesses, our regional partners, and the Yolo community at large as we implement the plan will ensure our safe and sustainable future.

Suzanne Reed is a former Commissioner of the California Energy Commission. She holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and is Chair of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission*.