Cities plan for climate change.

• Position: News & Numbers

The United States will experience an increasing number of extreme weather events as temperatures increase due to climate change, according to the fifth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment. "Many city leaders --such as those in New York City, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Miami--are developing innovative strategies to reduce the risks from extreme weather, according to Storm-Ready Cities, a new report from the Center for American Progress. Increased resilience to climate change keeps people and businesses out of harm's way, but it can also create economic growth and improve the quality of life in metro areas, according to the report. As a result, leaders in these jurisdictions are working to upgrade public transit and other infrastructure, provide cleaner and more reliable energy, create jobs, attract new businesses, improve air quality, and expand parks and green spaces.

The report identifies climate change risks to cities and highlights metro areas that are taking the lead in building resilience in ways that support economic growth and help tackle other pressing challenges. It also recommends local and federal actions to further...