Many communities are ill-prepared for the impacts of climate change on their water, air, and health.
NRDC helps cities defend themselves against this global problem. We advise officials on plans to protect residents against extreme heat, floods, and other climate-related hazards. Our experts track predicted changes in allergens, disease transmission, and other health impacts of climate change and alert residents and local governments to potential risks.
What We're Doing
We help cities jump the financial hurdles of green infrastructure projects.
Our experts draw attention to the climate-change reality of storms, floods, heat waves, and drought—and push state and local officials to prepare for potential impacts.
We promote infrastructure plans that transition us to clean energy, address the changing climate, create jobs, and remedy the negative legacy of the past.
More frequent droughts means our water supplies are at risk. We push for rapid, cost-effective actions that can save water on a large scale.
California is facing its worst drought in 1,200 years—and this might be the new normal. We're helping it and other states prepare for a dry future.
Climate change is bringing on more floods across the country. We're making sure people are prepared and pushing for infrastructure changes to protect drinking-water facilities, wastewater-treatment plants, and stormwater systems.
Families can save about 11,000 gallons of water a year by making a few simple changes. We tell them how.
As deadly heat waves spread across the planet, we're helping the hard-hit nation of India set up early-warning systems and preparedness plans.
Related Priorities
What You Can Do
How to Find Relief During Summer Heat Waves in the City
Extreme heat is already a public health threat—now, COVID-19 may make that impact worse. Here are some quick tips and long-term strategies to help keep you and your neighbors cool.
