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1. Introduction <br />San Leandro 2021 Climate Action Plan Page 7 <br />The City has long recognized that its economic <br />health was linked to a favorable balance between <br />the number of jobs and housing units in the <br />community. In 2017, there were about 0.53 jobs for <br />each employed resident in the city, indicating that <br />most San Leandro residents work in other cities. <br />Looking to the future, the City strives to reduce <br />“external” work trips and create a community where <br />residents can find jobs within the City, and <br />employees can find housing without long commutes. <br />San Leandro’s rich alluvial soils and temperate <br />climate support a wide variety of plants and animals. <br />Wetlands in the southwest part of the City provide <br />habitat for the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse and other <br />special-status species. San Leandro Creek remains <br />one of the few waterways in the urbanized East Bay <br />that retains its natural character along most of its <br />course. Elsewhere in the City, street trees, parks, <br />large yards, and other open spaces provide both <br />aesthetic and environmental benefits. Just beyond <br />the eastern city limits, thousands of acres of <br />grasslands, woodlands, and coastal scrub are <br />protected in regional park and watershed lands. <br />These open spaces have great environmental <br />importance and scenic value and are a significant amenity for San Leandro residents. <br />The City’s environment is vulnerable to the impacts of urban development, particularly air and water <br />pollution. Air quality in the region has improved significantly in the last 30 years, but transportation <br />emissions still result in ozone and particulate levels that exceed State and federal standards. <br />Burning of fossil fuels—whether through motor vehicles, industry, or energy generation—also <br />generates GHGs, which contribute to global climate change. <br />During the next 100 years, the western shore of San Leandro will be affected by rising sea level, <br />with increased frequency of flooding and higher water levels in wetlands and tidal areas. The City <br />will need to adapt to this reality, making its shoreline more resilient and regulating the character of <br />construction in vulnerable areas. Climate change may also result in more severe storms, changes <br />in habitat, reduced potable water supply, and greater temperature extremes. <br /> <br /> <br />San Leandro is enriched by its active and downtown <br />and easy access to coastal amenities. <br />51