The adaptation imperative
One of the reasons I started Operation Future is that I see how much needs to be done to protect the things we value and love — our hometowns, our nation’s infrastructure, our children — from a changing climate. Climate change is not an abstract, academic concept. Average temperatures for most — but not uniformly all — of the United States are warmer now compared to averages from the 1980s. Temperatures in Alaska have warmed by over 4°F since 1970. The southwestern U.S. has become much drier on an annual basis. Sea levels have risen along the U.S. coastline, most notably along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Arctic sea-ice extent and thickness have declined precipitously. These changes are well documented, generally well understood, and have been occurring consistently with our expectations of a climate forced to change from the unprecedented buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Further change is in the pipeline over coming decades.
How we respond and adapt is up to us. But it takes knowledge, foresight, willingness, often good analyses, and often resources. Many public and private entities are already taking actions. The 5th National Climate Assessment from 2023 reported, “Efforts to adapt to climate change and reduce net greenhouse gas emissions are underway in every U.S. region and have expanded since 2018.” That assessment also noted — and I concur from today’s vantage point — that adaptation actions in our nation and in other regions of the world remain insufficient.
How do we know it’s worth it to adapt? There are a number of analyses conducted for both disaster preparedness and explicitly with long-term climate change in mind that show good returns on investment. The Chamber of Commerce issued a report (2024) stating that each $1 invested in disaster preparedness saves $13 in economic costs, damages and cleanup. J.P. Morgan issued a report this year where it found return on investment ranges from $2 to $43 for every $1 invested in adaptation and resilience. And the World Resources Institute also recently reported return on investments of over $10 for every $1 invested in adaptation and resilience after reviewing projects across 12 countries.
There is sound basis for public and private actors to assess their risks and vulnerabilities to a changing climate. Further, there are already a number of examples of practices that can be employed in climate-sensitive sectors (e.g., agriculture, civil engineering, public health, resource conservation) to adapt to a changing climate. But of course every location, every community, and every asset will face unique circumstances owing to not only regional climatic conditions but also other location-specific factors that influence risk. Tailored and fit-for-purpose information is needed for each individualized decision making process. I took forward to continue to advance efforts to respond to — and to become more resilient to — our rapidly changing climate.
