America is getting serious about combatting the causes of the climate crisis, adapting to a climate-altered world and building resilience to future climate shocks. The steep increase in the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters over the last decade has been met with fresh approaches, unprecedented resources and an expanded set of stakeholders. America is no longer debating whether to reduce emissions or to adapt to the effects of a changing environment. The nation now recognizes and is acting on the need to do both.

This push to mitigate and adapt has given birth to new federal, regional, Tribal, state and local initiatives and strategies, raised calls for climate justice and demands for industry accountability. These demands for climate action have also spawned new industries, technologies and professions, elevated local frontline organizations and redirected philanthropic investments.

This book, The Road to Resilience: A Primer for Climate Practitioners, is designed to provide would-be and working climate practitioners and professionals with the information, examples and tools they need now to protect lives and property and to develop and implement the plans, programs and practices needed for our nation to survive and thrive.