Geos Institute led a working group with the American Society of Adaptation Professionals to develop official comments to the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. The Committee asked for suggestions for actions it can take now and in the future to move federal climate policy forward. We developed a set of overarching and cross-cutting themes, outlined below. More detailed policy responses can be found in the official comments.
Mainstream climate. Evaluate all federal projects and policies through a climate lens that includes social equity and ecological integrity. ○ Integrate climate considerations into existing agencies and policies to the greatest extent possible. Reform and fill gaps where necessary.
Be proactive. Incentivize proactive planning for communities and encourage preparedness for rebuilding more resilient communities if disasters occur.
Develop lasting authority. Create statutory authority for guidelines, approvals, and funding in place of executive action.
Elevate social equity. Avoid maladaptive planning that simply shifts existing vulnerabilities in time or place.
Support nature-based solutions. Redesign evaluation processes to fully consider blue/green infrastructure as an alternative to conventional infrastructure.
Facilitate local and regional action. Use the federal government’s coordinating and convening capacity to support collaboration across sectors and levels of government.
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