Though the words climate change cause some to debate the meaning, most would agree that a proactive approach to a locality’s level of risk in the face of natural disasters is not just sensible but also critical and urgent. The proactive approach entails a vulnerability assessment as well as mitigation and adaptation program planning and implementation. Resiliency doesn’t happen overnight, but it can be developed.

Every step, no matter how large or small, makes a difference. So what can you do? Here are some resources from the Knowledge Network that will help you get on track:

• From ICMA’s Center for Sustainable Communities, this article highlights several reports on climate change and energy ranging from solar energy to alternative fuel vehicles.
• From ICMA International, this article explains the partnership that ICMA CityLinks program has brokered between two U.S. cities and two ASEAN cities to combat climate change in these extremely vulnerable cities.
• Several Latin American countries have developed innovative ideas that tackle climate change problems in their region.
• Over in the archives of PM Magazine is an article that discusses the ethics of making decisions regarding climate change and provides guidance for local government professionals.
• You can also find more resources on the Climate Change topic page.

Solving the complex problem that is global climate change is no easy task. We are all in this together. Be sure to share your plans and programs with all of us! Don’t forget that you can ask questions to and answer questions from thousands of local government professionals. Together we can make a difference.

Jesse Himes
Knowledge Network Intern
jhimes@icma.org