Abstract

Climate change is already occurring in Minnesota and is affecting our state’s environmental, economic and social systems. Minnesota state government is taking action to address these emerging challenges. A new report describing climate trends and impacts, as well as Minnesota state government responses, has been issued by the state’s ICAT.

The focus of this report is climate adaptation, which is defined as developing and implementing strategies, initiatives and measures to help human and natural systems cope with climate change impacts. The 2013 ICAT report highlights how state government is working to adapt to the changing climate, reduce risks and impacts, and increase the resilience of our communities. 

Since July 2009, Minnesota state agencies have been collaborating on climate adaptation efforts through ICAT. ICAT currently includes representatives from the following Minnesota state departments and agencies: Agriculture, Commerce (Division of Energy Resources), Health, Natural Resources, Pollution Control, Public Safety (Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management), and Transportation, as well as the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Metropolitan Council.

While Minnesota state agencies are carrying out a wide range of activities related to adaptation, additional opportunities also exist for agencies to increase their work together on this issue. Agencies will continue to seek avenues of collaboration in the following seven priority areas (these are not ranked in terms of importance):

• Building resilience to extreme precipitation
• Implementing best practices that achieve multiple benefits
• Protecting human health
• Strengthening existing ecosystems by addressing ongoing challenges and risks
• Building partnerships with local governments
• Quantifying climate impacts
• Conducting public and community outreach, education and training