Recommendations from the Resilience & Preparedness Task Force

Originally aired December 18, 2014

In November 2013, President Obama created the State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience under Executive Order 13653. One year later, the Task Force issued its landmark report, drawing on first-hand experiences from across the country and extensive outreach to thousands of government agencies, trade associations, planning agencies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. Co-hosted by SSF and the American Society of Adaptation Professionals, this webinar features Task Force members who discuss their findings and recommendations directly.

Speakers

Ira Feldman (Moderator)

Principal, Greentrack Strategies; Affiliated Faculty, University of Pennsylvania; Founder, Climate Adaptation Scholars

Ira Feldman is a leading practitioner and educator at the intersection of environmental law, sustainability strategy, and climate adaptation. Through Greentrack Strategies, he advises organizations on navigating complex environmental and climate challenges. He is affiliated faculty at the University of Pennsylvania and founded Climate Adaptation Scholars, a network supporting the next generation of adaptation professionals and researchers.

Susan Ruffo

Director of International Climate Initiatives, White House Council on Environmental Quality

Susan Ruffo served at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where she helped lead federal efforts to prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change — including coordinating the work of the State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. Her work focused on building federal, state, and local capacity to assess and respond to climate risks across all sectors of society.

Rep. Kristin Jacobs

Florida House of Representatives; Obama Task Force Appointee

Kristin Jacobs served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives representing the 96th District and previously as a Commissioner in Broward County. Appointed by President Obama to the White House Task Force on Climate Change and Resiliency, she brought a local government perspective on coastal vulnerabilities, environmental justice, and the practical challenges of building resilience in communities on the front lines of climate change.

Sue Minter

Vermont’s Irene Recovery Officer; Deputy Secretary, Vermont Agency of Transportation

Sue Minter served in the Vermont Legislature for six years and as Deputy Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Following the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, Governor Shumlin deployed her as Vermont’s Irene Recovery Officer, responsible for all state recovery and resilience activities. She later led a team to assist Colorado following severe flooding in 2013 and co-chaired the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Subcommittee of the White House Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.

Karen Diver

Chairwoman, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Obama Task Force Appointee

Karen Diver served as Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and as Vice President of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. The Fond du Lac Reservation is the second largest employer in northern Minnesota with over 2,200 employees. Appointed by President Obama to the State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resiliency, she brought Indigenous governance experience and a tribal sovereignty perspective to federal climate adaptation policy.