Rural Americans can reap big rewards from federal investments in clean energy, tree restoration, wildfire risk reduction and the clean-up of abandoned fossil fuel production sites, according to new WRI analysis by Senior Associate Devashree Saha and co-authors. Our interactive maps show state-by-state numbers for new rural jobs and other benefits, such as higher rural incomes resulting from a new climate economy. Read more.

Want to dive into the data? Explore the interactive paper.

Why is locally led adaptation important? It gives people the power and agency to adapt to the unique challenges inflicted by climate change on their community. However, while the world spends roughly $30 billion on climate adaptation annually, it’s vastly unclear how much of this funding ever reaches the hands of local actors and locally led adaptation projects. WRI’s new paper, “Tracking and Reporting Finance for Locally Led Adaptation to Climate Change,” explains why tracking and reporting mechanisms are essential to ensuring frontline communities receive climate funds. Read more.

Recent deadly floods have destroyed communities across China, Germany, India and other countries. For decades, climate scientists have warned of such dangers — and now the world is witness. Data from WRI’s Aqueduct Floods warns that the number of people affected by floods will double worldwide by 2030, compared to 2010. Furthermore, climate change is heightening the intensity of riverine and coastal floods. As governments and decision-makers build back from these destructive events — and the pandemic — they must prioritize smart investments in flood protection infrastructure. Read more.