Preparing and adapting to climate change
Federal Investments are Helping Communities Prepare and Adapt to Climate Change
Investments to restore and protect the Great Lakes can also help communities confront the climate crisis. Restoring coastal habitat, wetlands, and floodplains throughout the region allow the natural landscape to absorb storm water, reduce flooding and filter pollutants, while also sequestering carbon pollution. These efforts to restore the Great Lakes ecosystem also improve the ability of our communities to withstand some of the changes from a warming climate—often referred to as climate resiliency. Importantly, these investments also create good-paying, local jobs.
But Serious Threats Remain
Climate change is causing more extreme weather, with increased rain in the spring, and dryer, hotter summers and winters. These changes are exacerbating existing threats to the Great Lakes, such as runoff pollution and sewage overflows—and they are impacting people, wildlife, and the economy. Many marginalized communities are already feeling the effects of climate change as a result of historic disinvestment and ineffective policies that have led to increased flooding and higher rates of illness and disease, among many other issues.
Featured Success Story
Scientists Working to Preserve Minnesota Moose Herd
Scientists have restored 1,000 acres of moose foraging habitat near Lake Superior and are working on other wildlife management activities in an effort to sustain the moose herd in eastern Minnesota.