The changing climate is already affecting water, energy, transportation, agriculture, ecosystems, and people's health. While some climate change impacts are far-reaching, no two states will experience climate change in precisely the same way.

State governments are uniquely positioned to implement strategic adaptive measures to protect infrastructure, plan for sea-level rise, and increase their communities' resilience to extreme weather. Many states and local governments are already focusing their attention and resources towards anticipating and planning for climate change impacts.

• Implementing measures to reduce the impact of heat islands
• Protecting estuaries from the impacts of climate change
• Developing heat wave response programs due to the likelihood of more frequent and more intense heat waves
• Anticipating and planning for water and wastewater utility challenges due to the likelihood of increased frequency and severity of heavy rain and sea level rise

Examples of State-wide Adaptation Strategies include:

• Alaska: Change Strategy: Addressing Impacts in Alaska (PDF) Exit
• California: Safeguarding California: Implementation Action Plans Exit
• Connecticut: Climate Change Preparedness Plan (PDF) (111 pp, 566 KB) Exit
• Maine: People and Nature: Adapting to a Changing Climate (PDF) (12 pp, 1.1 MB) Exit
• Maryland: Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland's Vulnerability to Climate Change Phase I: Sea-level Rise and Coastal Storms (PDF) (40 pp, 12.5 MB) Exit and Phase II: Building Societal, Economic, and Ecological Resilience (PDF) (80 pp, 31.1 MB) Exit
• Massachusetts: Climate Change Adaptation Report Exit
• New Hampshire: Climate Action Plan Exit
• Oregon: Climate Change Adaptation Framework (PDF) (151 pp, 606 KB) Exit
• Virginia: Climate Change Action Plan (PDF) (124 pp, 4.1 MB) Exit
• Washington: Washington State's Integrated Climate Response Strategy (PDF) (207 pp, 4.7 MB) Exit

» Learn more about climate change impacts by region and sector.

» Learn about resilience and adaptation in New England.

» Access adaptation tools for public officials.

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