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General Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

Dirty Dishes and Climate Change: Taking a Small First Step Toward a Safer Future

Submitted by Lou Leonard on 20 March 2013 - 11:09am

"I hate cleaning the kitchen. I put it off until it becomes a growling, reeking monster," says Lou Leonard, head of WWF's climate program in this piece reposted from the Huffington Post.  However, he adds, it doesn't have to be this way. "Even when the job seems too big, take it in chunks, something easy first, build your momentum...It turns out, this approach works for big problems beyond my kitchen -- from eating healthy to getting more exercise to moving away from dangerous fossil fuels and tackling climate change."

San Francisco Named Earth Hour Capital

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 20 March 2013 - 6:17am

In recognition of San Francisco’s comprehensive efforts to promote renewable energy and prepare its residents for extreme weather and other consequences of climate change, an international jury has named the city U.S. Earth Hour Capital for 2013. As part of this honor, the city will receive World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour Climate Leaders Award and $30,000 to support its work engaging San Franciscans around climate impacts on the city’s future.

Millions Across the Globe to “Go Dark” for Earth Hour on March 23; San Francisco named 2013 U.S. Earth Hour City Capital

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 19 March 2013 - 1:32pm

This Saturday (23 March 2013), front porches, businesses, town halls and iconic landmarks across America and around the world will go dark as non-essential lights are switched off for one hour in celebration of the world’s largest voluntary environmental action.  “In addition to raising global awareness, we are also transforming that excitement into local action to prepare our communities for the impacts of extreme weather and climate change,” says Keya Chatterjee, director of international climate policy for WWF.  San Francisco is the 2013 U.S. Earth Hour City Capital, having been selected from a group of 29 U.S. cities participating in WWF’s Earth Hour City Challenge – an annual initiative recognizing cities preparing for increasingly extreme weather and promoting renewable energy.  San Francisco, along with Chicago and Cleveland, will receive WWF’s Earth Hour Climate Leaders Award and $30,000 to support their efforts to engage residents in local climate action.

Vancouver Crowned Global Earth Hour Capital 2013 "for Its Innovative Actions on Climate Change"

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 19 March 2013 - 10:19am

WWF’s Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) has recognised the City of Vancouver, Canada, for its innovative actions on climate change and dedication to create a sustainable, pleasant urban environment for current and future residents.

The Greatest American (Climate) Heroes

Submitted by Lou Leonard on 5 March 2013 - 6:51pm

Quick, without thinking about it, answer this question: What's the most important thing that's happened in America on climate change over the past year? The tragedy of Superstorm Sandy? President Obama's State of the Union address? Sixty percent of America in the grip of a devastating drought? All fair answers. But here's mine: The leadership of American cities.

Obama Highlights Emerging Impacts of Climate Change, Calls for Energy Transformation and for Community Climate Preparedness

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 13 February 2013 - 7:00pm

In his State of the Union address last night (12 February 2013), President Obama said that "for the sake of our children and our future, we must do more to combat climate change."  He pledged to "come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy."  He said that "if Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will." Lou Leonard, WWF’s head of climate change, responded: "It was encouraging to see President Obama connect the dots between extreme weather and dirty energy, and to be clear that he won't wait for Congress to act.  Cities and towns on the front lines of extreme weather can't afford more excuses from Washington."

Chicago, Cincinnati, San Francisco Recognized for Citywide Efforts to Address Climate Change

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 17 January 2013 - 1:56pm

Chicago, Cincinnati and San Francisco have been selected as U.S. finalists in World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour City Challenge, a year-long challenge rewarding cities that are preparing for increasingly extreme weather and promoting renewable energy. Both Chicago and Cincinnati experienced their warmest years on record in 2012.  

2012: The Year Climate Change Got Real for Americans (Video)

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 17 January 2013 - 1:38pm

In the latest in his “Climate Denial Crock of the Week" video series, Peter Sinclair provides an overview of the climate extremes in 2012 that battered the U.S.  The conditions have helped shift public opinion and elevate the public debate around climate change. 

With High Hopes for the Future: Obama's Moral Imperative to Address Climate Change

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 17 January 2013 - 12:36pm

"I wager," says WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts in this Huffington Post piece, "that like Lincoln, President Obama will be remembered most for what he does to address the existential threat that history has presented on his watch: the breakdown of our planet's natural systems upon which all life depends, and specifically human-caused climate change."

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