Preparing Communities for the Impacts of Climate Change
The Earth’s climate is rapidly changing. Temperatures are rising and precipitation patterns are changing. We’re seeing more storms, floods, and droughts, and the frequency of intense weather events is increasing. Sea levels are rising more rapidly and storm surges are becoming more severe.
These changes are concerning because they can affect our health, rivers, beaches, and access to food, water, and energy. All of these risks can also lead to significant economic damages if communities are not adequately prepared. For instance, hurricane Sandy caused approximately $65 billion in damages to New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. More frequent droughts are also a cause of more wildfires that are destroying homes in many parts of the country and increasing the costs of fire suppression to federal, state and local governments.
We must take action now to protect public health, the environment and the economy. We have an opportunity to slow the rate of climate change and make it more manageable by cutting emissions of the carbon pollution that contributes to global warming. At the same time, we have an opportunity to anticipate, prepare, and adapt to climate change to protect the things we care about.
![Photo of a coastal town](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170115135256im_/http://blog.epa.gov/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/EwellSmithIslandMd_005w500.jpg)
Communities like this are vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, which can threaten homes, businesses, and ecosytems.
EPA is taking action now in three important ways to help states, tribes, and local communities anticipate and prepare for climate change. First, we are working to increase people’s awareness and understanding of how climate change can affect the things they care about and the actions they can take to avoid negative impacts. For example, as part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, EPA is releasing an online training module to help local government officials take actions to increase their communities’ resilience to a changing climate.
Second, we are providing financial resources to communities to help them identify common sense solutions. In Connecticut, the Bridgeport Regional Planning Authority is using brownfields funds to identify the risks posed by sea level rise to clean up sites and to help avoid redeveloping in harm’s way. Finally, we’re providing communities with the tools and technical assistance they need to make a difference. For example, EPA’s Climate Resiliency Evaluation and Awareness Tool helps drinking water and wastewater system operators understand, assess, and evaluate alternative strategies for delivering services to their communities even as the climate changes.
On a national level, EPA has proposed the Clean Power Plan, which for the first time seeks to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants, the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States. The proposal, which we will finalize later this year, will protect public health, move the United States toward a cleaner environment and fight climate change while supplying Americans with reliable and affordable power.
Some communities across the nation are already preparing for climate change. We cannot afford to wait, because the longer we do, the harder and more costly it will be to adapt and avoid the negative impacts of climate change. The good news is that everyone can make a big difference in simple ways. There’s a perception that the climate change problem is so huge that the actions we take as individuals can’t make a difference. That’s not the case. In the same way that all of our individual actions added up to cause the climate to change so rapidly, we can all be part of the solution. When we do things like conserve water, buy Energy Star labelled products, and take public transportation we can slow the rate of climate change and help prepare for its impacts.
Working together, we can make a difference to deal with the climate change problem. That’s why EPA is taking action now.
More information on how to slow the rate of climate change and anticipate and prepare for its impacts: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
May 03, 2015 @ 22:39:07
I like this action that you take and i found it very important that’s why is choose to share with my friends from social network community.
May 06, 2015 @ 19:42:40
wow amazing the best..
Thank you sir.
May 08, 2015 @ 00:18:00
I’m glad to see that EPA is taking the steps to create awareness of environmental pollution to it’s citizens and government officials. It’s hard to say that climate change isn’t already causing serious damage, specially when I feel it in the area I live in (San Francisco). We’ve been in a drought for several years and the local authorities are posting signs on the side of the road that deal with water conservation due to drought. Hopefully by getting the “clean power plant” going we can eliminate much of the carbon we are releasing into our atmosphere, and hopefully stop the negative road we’re going down.
-John L.
May 10, 2015 @ 12:11:00
Its very important this actions. I’m glad to see this post.
May 11, 2015 @ 15:32:35
CO2 geological storage is the priority for the mitigation of the negative impacts of global change on the 21st development, stability and peace.
Sep 13, 2015 @ 23:55:25
Public awareness is a very important part of preparedness. EPA is doing a great thing by educating the local governments and general public as well as providing direction and resources. There are so many concerns these days, especially in LA where I live. It feels like there is a boil water advisory every month in different parishes because of poor maintenance. The steps EPA is taking will play a major role in making people feel safe. Thanks.
Sep 13, 2015 @ 23:58:22
EPA is doing a great thing by educating local governments as well as the general public, and providing guidance and supplies. It seems, here in New Orleans, that there is a boil water advisory every month. Being aware, and taking these precautions will definitely make the public feel safer in general and provide guidance on how to improve our environment. Thanks.
Oct 26, 2015 @ 11:45:59
Your contributions to the cause of climate change are brilliant because they address local issues directly. The case of Connecticut coast lines and marshland ecosystems is significant on several levels for residents, local recreation and economic growth.
In the late 1990’s, lived along the Long Island Sound in Fairfield, Connecticut. During that time I saw the increase of the sea-level-rise each year. The house I rented in Fairfield had old plumbing going through a crawl space and during storm surges the tide was so close that it used to reach my neighbor’s backyard. My children were small and I was worried that a tide would flood that crawl space and some pipe failure would impact drinking water lines or waste water drains.
I moved to Maryland in 2001 and I initiated a study on water system vulnerability. Although the study was successful, there didn’t seem to be funding to support continued studies at the time.Since then, however, the government and the general public are much more aware and actively looking for solutions.
I am glad to see you are managing to continue your efforts to preserve our ecosystems and I appreciate your work.
Nov 05, 2015 @ 23:34:05
thank your sir .