Politics

Obama's Climate Task Force Convenes for First Time

By Clare Foran and National Journal
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Local residents of Staten Island take part in a community walk along Midland Beach commemorating the year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy on October 29, 2013 in New York City. Commemorative events took place across the northeast one year after the storm.  (National Journal)

President Obama's Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, a task force of representatives from the State, Defense, Labor, and Treasury departments and other federal agencies, convened for the first time on Monday, The Hill reports.

The council was established by executive order in November as part of a broader effort sanctioned by the president to increase preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme-weather events made worse by climate change.

The body will coordinate with state and local officials to develop mitigation strategies and look for ways to remove barriers to increased resilience at the federal, state, and local levels.

White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley, White House Science Adviser John Holdren and Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco reportedly presided over the first meeting of the task force, highlighting the diverse group of federal stakeholders represented.