For several years Americans have become increasingly aware of how their actions affect the future environmental state of this nation and the world.  The “green movement” is a lifestyle individuals have adopted in order to help, but they alone cannot change the future of the environment.  Policy makers, agencies, and state and local governments realize the need for climate change adaptation.  The need for change is obvious but funding that change is more complicated.  The problem: the alignment of funding and climate change strategies.

David C. Trimble, Director of Natural Resources and Environment at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), testified before the Subcommittee on Financial Services yesterday addressing three issues related to climate change and adaptation; funding alignment with climate change strategies was one of the most contentious issues.

What did GAO find? Funds are not well aligned with strategies for climate change and adaptation.

GAO’s report illustrated: 1) agencies do not consistently interpret methods for defining and reporting the funding of climate change activities 2) key factors make the efforts to align funding with strategic actions more complicated, and 3) options are available to better align federal funding with strategic priorities, including governmentwide strategic planning.

I understand that funding climate change and adaptation is a necessary task given the state of our environment; I also understand that it is not an easy task.  But sound climate change adaptation strategies must implement consistency, transparency, and efficiency.  Until the necessary changes are made to better align the two, I feel that the nation will incur unnecessary fiscal losses.

–Kara Behrens