Climate
The City of Ridgefield has been working through Envision Ridgefield 2045, a process to update Ridgefield’s Comprehensive Plan. As part of this process, we are planning for current and future climate impacts to our community.
In 2023, the Washington State Legislature added a new climate goal to the Growth Management Act (GMA) that requires cities and counties to consider climate change in their long-term planning efforts, also known as the “comprehensive plan.” Comprehensive plans must meet two overarching climate goals:
- Improve community resilience to climate change; and
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
Comprehensive plans are composed of multiple chapters, known as “elements,” that each focus on citywide topics like housing, transportation, the environment, public utilities, and more. The climate element must contain goals and policies that consider these topics because a changing climate affects our lives and development throughout the city.
View the Climate Action Planning Factsheet (PDF)
Climate Survey
We conducted a survey in early 2025 to help identify ways we can prepare for natural hazards and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Scroll down or click here to view Survey highlights.
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We conducted a survey to understand how natural hazards have affected our community in Ridgefield and to gather ideas on how we can better prepare for future climate-related events. Here are the key findings from the survey:
Natural Hazards: Most common natural hazards included: Extreme heat, wildfire or smoke, severe storms, and extreme cold or wind chill.
Typical impacts from natural hazards included: Missed work or school, lost power or internet, transportation disruptions, decrease in outdoor activities, and damage to homes or property.
Preparation and Response:
About 70% of respondents feel somewhat prepared to well-prepared to deal with the impacts of natural hazards.
Typical resources that helped prepare for past events included: Emergency alerts, survival kits, and help from family or friends.
Resources to prepare for future events include: Community alerts, better road and sidewalk maintenance, community disaster plans, and disaster training or information.
Vulnerable Groups and Areas:
Groups of people identified as most vulnerable to natural hazards include: Elderly, sick, disabled, children, pregnant women, low income, houseless, and outdoor workers.
Areas and assets identified as most vulnerable to natural hazards include: Wildlife and wooded areas, houses, care facilities, schools (due to lack of air conditioning), local food systems, and family pets.
Ideas for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
More public transportation.
More bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and connected neighborhoods.
Planting and preserving trees.
Carpooling and ridesharing.
Using electric vehicles.
Urban forestry programs.
Protecting natural habitats.
EV and solar-ready buildings.
Higher density in areas with shops and services.
More parks and open spaces.
These findings will help shape our community's climate goals and policies, ensuring Ridgefield is better prepared for future natural hazards and more resilient overall.
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