U.S President Obama released an executive order Friday to create a climate change task force. The task force's main purpose is to give recommendations to the government on properly dealing with the issues on hand.
Obama has considered climate change as a major political issue which the Democrats have supported. However, the Republicans believe that imposing new regulations in favor of the environment will only lead to a slower economic progress.
According to the White House, the "Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience" will be composed of Democrat governors from seven states, a Republican governor of Guam, 14 mayors and two local leaders. They will "advise the Administration on how the Federal Government can respond to the needs of communities nationwide that are dealing with the impacts of climate change."
According to Fox News, the task force will discuss different ways to address climate change issues such as severe storms, droughts, wildfires, and other possible impacts brought by climate change. They will also be drafting recommendations on improving infrastructures such as roads, bridges, flood controls and other projects in preparation of the projected rising sea levels.
Here is an excerpt from Obama’s executive order shared by USA Today.
"The impacts of climate change -- including an increase in prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, more heavy downpours, an increase in wildfires, more severe droughts, permafrost thawing, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise -- are already affecting communities, natural resources, ecosystems, economies, and public health across the Nation. ...
"Managing these risks requires deliberate preparation, close cooperation, and coordinated planning by the Federal Government, as well as by stakeholders, to facilitate Federal, State, local, tribal, private-sector, and nonprofit-sector efforts to improve climate preparedness and resilience; help safeguard our economy, infrastructure, environment, and natural resources; and provide for the continuity of executive department and agency (agency) operations, services, and programs."
