The White House announced new executive orders and private sector partnerships to boost natural infrastructure, such as wetlands and forests, to mitigate and defend against the effects of climate change.
The White House Council on Environmental Quality said several groups have pitched in to grow forests, which absorb carbon emissions, which most scientists blame for exacerbating global warming. The council also announced new federal funds to strengthen coastal marshes that aid flood control and serve as fish habitat. It also announced the release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ climate assessment, which found that one-third of coastal Corps projects are vulnerable to climate change.
“By investing in smart strategies for conserving and restoring our lands and waters, we can help make communities more resilient to climate impacts while slowing the harmful effects of carbon pollution,” the CEQ said. “Similarly, investments in green infrastructure can help communities better prepare for the impacts of climate change while also improving water quality and community health.”
The move comes as the White House said it would take another move to protect forests by declaring the San Gabriel Mountains just northeast of Los Angeles a national monument. The monument, which President Obama will officially announce Friday, encompasses nearly 346,000 acres of forest and will help preserve water resources that serve 15 million people living near the mountains.
