Impacts of climate change: Tribal leaders task force

President Obama has signed an Executive Order which directs federal agencies to take a series of actions aimed at making it easier for US communities to strengthen their resilience to droughts, storms, wildfires and other impacts of climate change. A task force that includes tribal leaders will be established and will give tribal leaders a voice in shaping the federal effort.

The task force
The task force will be known as The State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience and is going to be chaired by the White House and made up of invited state, local and tribal leaders. This will include Karen Diver, Chairwoman, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (MN) and Reggie Joule, Mayor, Northwest Arctic Borough (AK). All members will be using their firsthand experiences building climate preparedness and resilience in their communities to advise the administration on how the federal government can best respond to the needs of communities nationwide that are working to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Recommendations will be given to the President from the task force on removing barriers to resilient investments, modernising federal grant and loan programs to better support local efforts, and developing the information and tools they need to prepare.

The Executive Order
The Executive Order which sees the development of this task force will also be taking the following actions aimed at enhancing preparedness and resilience:

• Modernise Federal programs to support climate resilient work.
• Manage lands and waters for climate preparedness and resilience.
• Provide information, date and tools for climate change preparedness and resilience.
• Build upon existing federal agency planning for climate change related risk.
• Establish a council on climate preparedness and resilience.

Adapted from press release by Claira Lloyd

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