Adaptation Plans

* Climate Action Plan

Despite possible federal U.S. legislation and a potential international agreement in Copenhagen to combat climate change, past GHG emissions have already created a rise in global temperatures, and will continue to do so in the future. Climate change will likely significantly affect everything from coastlines and water supplies to health, ecosystems, and other natural resources. Communities will be affected differently and experience differing degrees of change, so action to address these changes must take place at the local level. States are recognizing the importance of pre-emptive action to address their vulnerability to climate change and many have begun to address adaptation concerns either within broader state climate action plans, or through separate efforts matching their mitigation activities.