ARC-X – Climate Change Adaptation Website
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“The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday launched a new website, the Adaption Resource Center or ARC-X, to help leaders of “the nation’s 40,000 communities with information and tools to increase resilience to climate change.” “Recent statistics from the Office of Management and Budget show the federal government has incurred more than $357 billion in direct costs due to extreme weather and fire alone over the last 10 years,” a press release announcing the website stated. “Climate change is also expected to pose significant financial and infrastructural challenges to communities in coming decades. “EPA designed ARC-X to help all local government official address these challenges – from those with extensive experience and expertise dealing with the impacts of climate change, to those working in underserved communities who are just beginning to meet those challenges,” the press release stated.
“From floods and droughts to dangerous heat islands and other public health effects, communities are facing the very real impacts of climate change,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in the press release. “ARC-X is a powerful new tool that can help local governments continue to deliver reliable, cost-effective services even as the climate changes.” In a video on the new website, Joel Scheraga, EPA senior advisor for climate adaptation, said the interactive nature of the new site allows visitors to get information “tailored specifically for your needs.” The website summarizes the impact of climate change in the region you pick, for example, the northeastern United States. “The Northeast is projected to experience increased precipitation, more frequent and intense storms, and higher average temperatures. These projected changes pose challenges to communities as they protect water and waste infrastructure, maintain water quality, and protect air quality and public health. Many communities are building resilience to the risks they face under current climatic conditions.” But no matter what region one picks, the information about climate change and “sea level rise,” for example, leads to a generic page on that topic. The same is true if one picks “extreme heat” or another “area of interest.”’
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