Practical Solutions to Adapt to the Effects of Climate Change

Delay and Pay or Plan and Prosper

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) held a briefing on the Global Commission on Adaptation’s Flagship Report and Year of Action for climate adaptation. The Commission, which is chaired by Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Microsoft Founder Bill Gates, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, seeks to accelerate adaptation action by elevating its political visibility and focusing on concrete solutions. In September 2019, the Commission launched its flagship report, Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience, which outlines a roadmap for scaling-up climate adaptation in the United States and abroad in order to safeguard communities and economies from the impacts of climate change. In particular, the report emphasizes the investment potential of climate adaptation initiatives.

Dr. Rosina Bierbaum
Professor, School for Environment and Sustainability (Former Dean) and School of Public Health, University of Michigan; Roy Weston Chair of Natural Economics, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland; Chair, Science and Technical Advisory Panel, Global Environment Facility; former Acting Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)

Manish Bapna
Executive Vice President & Managing Director, World Resources Institute

Christina Chan
Director, Climate Resilience Practice, World Resources Institute

Leo Martinez-Diaz
Global Director, Sustainable Finance Center, World Resources Institute

Question & Answer Session

The report also kickstarts a Year of Action on climate adaptation, starting in late 2019 and going through 2020, to advance the recommendations from the flagship report which include eight major areas of focus—agriculture, cities, finance, disaster risk management, nature-based solutions, infrastructure, water, and locally-led action. This concentrated effort will help accelerate adaptation action and support, thereby improving human well-being and resulting in better, more sustainable economic development and security for all.

Briefing speakers highlighted key elements of the report and shared how federal legislators can engage with the Year of Action for climate adaptation.

The Global Commission on Adaptation is guided by 34 leaders in government, business, and civil society as well as 20 convening countries, representing all regions of the globe. A global network of research partners and advisors supports the Commission. The Commission is co-managed by the World Resources Institute and the Global Center on Adaptation.