We, the undersigned, call on state and local governments across the United States to take immediate and coordinated action to strengthen climate preparedness and resilience.
According to recent reports by the Associated Press and other independent organizations, extreme weather events—such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires—are already disrupting communities nationwide. Yet only a small fraction of state and local health departments report being “very prepared” to respond to the growing impacts of climate change.
climate change is important!
This lack of preparedness puts millions of Americans at risk — particularly the elderly, children, low-income communities, and frontline workers who already face disproportionate harm from pollution and environmental hazards.
We urge every state and local government to:
- Adopt and fund comprehensive climate resilience plans that address local vulnerabilities, including extreme heat, water scarcity, and flooding.
- Invest in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, prioritizing communities most affected by environmental injustice.
- Strengthen public health systems to respond to climate-related illnesses and emergencies.
- Increase transparency and public participation in climate adaptation planning.
- Collaborate regionally and nationally to share resources, data, and best practices.
- The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat — it is here, and it is testing the capacity of every state to protect its citizens. We cannot afford inaction or fragmentation.
We, the people, demand bold leadership and tangible steps now to make our communities safer, healthier, and more resilient in the face of a rapidly warming world.
