If your house was ever damaged in a storm or flood, or you had to pay more for food because drought struck your region, you have insight into the harsh consequences of climate change. A warmer world could jeopardize the homes and livelihoods of millions and bring crises to ecosystems, agriculture, clean water and other systems that humans need.
But if you know bad things are coming and you plan for them, then you’re on the path to what experts call climate change adaptation and resilience.
“The United States is deeply committed to helping the rest of the world — especially the poorest and most vulnerable nations — adapt to the changing climate,” said Secretary of State John Kerry.
On June 9, Kerry and the White House announced a $34 million commitment to do just that. The U.S., United Kingdom and several private-sector and NGO partners will share their expertise and resources to help communities worldwide prepare for a warmer world.
Among the U.S. contributions:
- The Peace Corps and AmeriCorps will form a volunteer climate resistance corps.
- NASA will share scientific methods for projecting climate change impacts, enabling countries to target their adaptation efforts.
- NOAA will offer communities tools to better protect beachside buildings and infrastructure from rising seas.
These “climate services,” as the partnership calls them, will “make it easier for people to take control of their own futures,” Kerry said.
“The United States is deeply committed to helping the rest of the world … adapt to the changing climate.”
– Secretary of State John Kerry
Other partner contributions include:
- Risk management and humanitarian response experience (Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies).
- Risk assessment and analysis expertise for development planning (international banks).
- Massive Internet cloud storage space to provide wide access to scientific data about climate change projections (Google).
A White House fact sheet says the partnership’s initial efforts will focus on Colombia, Ethiopia and Bangladesh, with an aim to develop solid climate-service plans that can be scaled up in their respective regions.
