A Plan to Save Earth

By Frank Dexter BrownLocal, national and global efforts embrace climate adaptation and mitigation policies to make societies more resilient and economically viable in a rapidly changing world.The aftermath of hurricane Beryl leaves parts of Texas flooded and without power. Recent natural disasters are making more clear the need for change at every level of government policy. photo: AP Photo/Maria LysakerThe dangers of severe weather events have hit home in recent months: In mid- to late-June, massive floods from historic, record torrential downpours overflowed riverbanks throughout the Midwest from South Dakota and the Big Sioux River, to Iowa to the striking images of Minnesota’s Blue Earth River pouring over the sides of the century-old Rapidan Dam. The downpours were soon followed by a heat dome that spread across much of the United States resulting in heat events of more than 100 degrees from California to Florida, Texas to Illinois, Oregon to Maine. And then in early July, at the start of hurricane season, came hurricane/tropical storm Beryl with winds rarely experienced so early in the summer. The city of Houston was completely underwater in sections as roads were transferred to rivers and streams and the city looked as if it had...