Adaptation Publications

State Strategies to Plan for and Adapt to Climate Change

October 2011 - by Amy Morsch and Ryan Bartlett

Climate change is expected to pose a number of risks to communities, such as sea-level rise and an increase in storm surges. States are beginning to develop adaptation plans to reduce climate risks and vulnerabilities within the larger context of economic growth. While the process and structure of the planning efforts vary, the resulting recommendations reveal similarities. The plans include a mix of broad strategies that address the state’s objectives and goals and identify supporting policies. To ensure complementary and coordinated responses to climate change, many strategies are cross-sectoral and entail integration and collaboration among multiple government agencies and economic sectors.

Funding International Climate Adaptation: Supporting Developing-Country Needs in the Absence of a Federal Climate Bill

April 2011 - by Josh Schneck

On February 24, 2011, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE), together with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, presented a workshop on U.S. funding for international climate adaptation. Last year’s collapse of the effort to enact comprehensive federal climate legislation, together with a change in congressional priorities following the 2010 elections, have created a difficult funding environment for all international aid, including funds for climate adaptation. This workshop was an opportunity for NRPE members and allied partners from within the faith-based environmental movement to hear about the state of U.S. support for international adaptation and to learn about major proposals that have been put forward for raising additional resources. This workshop report summarizes key points that were made by the presenters—a group that included policy experts and key US government representatives involved in the funding and implementation of international climate adaptation work—and identifies areas for continued engagement going forward.

Water, Climate Change, and Adaptation

August 2009 - by Heather R. Hosterman, Peter G. McCornick, Elizabeth J. Kistin, Anju Pant, Bharat Sharma and Luna Bharati