State Survey of Climate Change Resiliency Efforts

Climate change affects many aspects of water resource management throughout the United States, through rising temperatures, drier conditions, snowpack loss, flood events, and rising sea levels. Sustainable water resource strategies, particularly water efficiency strategies, can strengthen resiliency to climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving water quantity and quality, protecting watersheds, and improving flood management.

Through this project, a comprehensive review of laws, regulations, policies, and programs at the state level was conducted to catalog findings and identify trends. The researchers surveyed professionals in each U.S. state, including representatives from government and planning agencies, conservation-focused entities, and more, to augment this information. The findings shed light on current activities and provide real-life examples for states and regional entities hoping to improve their resiliency to climate change. Published in 2018.