White House Releases Two Climate Change Documents
Today, the White House Council on Environmental Quality released a new report entitled, “Federal Actions for a Climate Resilient Nation: Progress Report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force.” The report outlines the Federal Government’s progress in expanding and strengthening the Nation’s capacity to better understand, prepare for, and respond to extreme events and other climate change impacts. This report, produced by the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, provides an update on actions in key areas of Federal adaptation, including: building resilience in local communities, safeguarding critical natural resources such as freshwater, and providing accessible climate information and tools to help decision-makers manage climate risks. Click here to read the full 2011 report.
Based in part on listening sessions and public outreach events with a wide range of stakeholders, the report highlights the progress toward implementing those recommendations. This report follows the Task Force’s October 2010 Progress Report to the President that recommended the Federal Government strengthen the Nation’s capacity to better understand and manage climate-related risks.
The 2010 Progress Report identified freshwater resources as a priority area for greater attention. On June 2, 2011, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a draft “National Action Plan: Priorities for Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate,” for public review and comment. Today, CEQ also announced the final Action Plan that responds to public input. This final Plan will be the foundation for Federal agency efforts to manage freshwater resources as the climate changes. It is designed to help freshwater resource managers assure adequate water supplies, safeguard water quality and aquatic ecosystems, and protect human life, health and property.
Click here to read the full Managing Freshwater Action Plan.
The Task Force will provide an update on Federal adaptation progress in March 2014, following the release of the 2013 National Climate Assessment Synthesis Report.
