THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FRAMEWORK AND THREE PRIORITY WORKSTREAMS
Climate Action Convening participants focused on answering a central question: How can we leverage the U.S. Cooperative Extension System to quickly and effectively contribute to climate change solutions?
Over two days, they engaged in activities such as solo-storming (individual brainstorming), small-group breakouts, and full-group readouts and discussions. Combined, they surfaced climate outcomes that Extension and its collaborators could successfully deliver, given the right people and resources. To aid the discussion and move toward action, the conversation focused on three priority workstreams that could quickly be mobilized — Agricultural Lands, Natural Resources, and Community. Post-convening, participants took all of the insights from the convening and turned them into a series of four models. The models capture the inputs, assets, activities, and outputs needed to realize the envisioned climate outcomes over short (1-3 years), medium (4-9 years) and long (10-plus years) terms.
The following pages provide a detailed look at the Climate Action Plan that Extension seeks to implement with its growing partnership network.
Summary: Three Priority Workstreams The primary focus areas of agricultural lands, natural resources, and community align closely with the National Climate Change Roadmap funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture . They represent areas in which Extension can be particularly effective on climate action in light of its history, skills, and relationships at the community level.
Agricultural Lands
Extension will expand the capacity of agricultural lands managers, service providers, personnel at state and federal agencies, and policymakers to provide decision-making tools and resources for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Natural Resources
Extension will accelerate the expanded use and maintenance of climate-smart practices and nature- based approaches in partnership with all clients who manage and steward natural resources across the U.S., its territories, and the Indigenous nations therein.
Community
Extension will help community leaders, businesses, residents, and utilities integrate climate-smart practices and processes into their daily lives. This includes but is not limited to access to clean air and clean water; quality food and reduced food waste; clean, affordable, and efficient energy; property weatherization; and an affordable grid and reliable public transportation.
These three priority workstreams can benefit from the support of Extension and its partners as they jointly work on climate action initiatives.
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