A new report from Environment California finds 80 percent of the state's residents have been affected by an extreme weather event between 2006 and 2011.
The study examined data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The group Environment California said there were three severe weather events in San Diego County during that period; a major fire, a flood and a severe freeze. The online map generated as part of the report is a graphic representation of how severe weather events are becoming commonplace.
"Too many Californians are living in areas affected by extreme weather. And we need to take action right now, to stop global warming which is fueling these disasters and start investing in more clean energy," said Sean Carroll, spokesman for Environment California.
California should continue to build on the success of its alternative-energy industries, according to Carroll, and he said the state made big advances in adding solar and wind power to its energy portfolio last year. The report said California has the nation's largest clean-energy industry.
