Manann Donoghoe

As we mark Earth Day, it’s worth noting that for many Americans, the holiday holds little meaning. For millions of us, the planet’s most significant environmental threat—climate change—has become an afterthought: Polls show that despite the increasing urgency of climate change, concern about the issue among registered voters has basically flatlined. There are many reasons for this, including the Trump administration’s strong opposition to climate action.

With recent federal actions and policies creating additional cost pressures for energy, groceries, and fuel for most Americans, a core driver of unaffordability has taken a back seat in the coverage: climate change. National inaction to adapt to and curb the impacts of climate change has created a growing gap between the risks of extreme weather and disasters and the ability of our structures to withstand these shocks.

With recent federal actions and policies creating additional cost pressures for energy, groceries, and fuel for most Americans, a core driver of unaffordability has taken a back seat in the coverage: climate change. National inaction to adapt to and curb the impacts of climate change has created a growing gap between the risks of extreme weather and disasters and the ability of our structures to withstand these shocks.