Why Local Governments Must Act

Local Impacts Are Unavoidable

Scientific evidence indicates that even if we could halt greenhouse gas emissions today, the world would still experience a warming climate for decades to come. For local governments, that means serious impacts at community level, many of which are already being felt:

• Extreme heat waves that put the elderly, young, and disadvantaged at risk
• More frequent severe storms and floods that damage infrastructure like bridges, roads, and culverts, and overwhelm storm sewers
• Water shortages during more frequent and intense droughts
• Increased smog and air pollution that exacerbate respiratory illnesses and other medical conditions
• Intruding sea levels that threaten coastal property and natural habitat, and can contaminate drinking water aquifers
• Increased transmission of diseases, either waterborne or via insects or rodents
  

Local governments have a responsibility to protect their people, property, and natural resources, but they must begin planning now, and embrace climate adaptation as a sister strategy to climate mitigation efforts.

Learn What Local Governments Can Do >>

Learn More About ICLEI's CRC Program >>

View Climate Impacts by Region >>