Resources for City Officials

Resources, guides, and special topic videos
make climate understandable and actionable

Climate Action Sheets | Let’s Talk Climate | Events and Webinars | Moving Forward Guide | Awards and Replication Guides

All Resources

  • Introduction to Climate Justice

    Climate justice acknowledges that climate change harms Black, indigenous, people of color, low-income and rural communities, women, children, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities first and worst.

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  • Our Ocean: Changing Climate, Shifting Tides

    The ocean is precious to us all. It pours forth beauty, supports clean jobs, offers abundant food, and is central to stabilizing the earth’s climate…

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  • Climate, Health, and Food

    Eating lots of plant-based, nutrient-rich foods supports personal health and is the best way to prevent chronic illness and disease. Not only is this good…

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  • Restoring Nature = Restoring Ourselves

    If we restore thriving nature, we all live healthier, more fulfilling lives while addressing climate change. From backyards to parks and forests, from local rivers…

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  • Climate Solutions for Your Workplace

    Our climate is changing, but if we all move to more climate-friendly choices we can help restore healthier people, prosperous communities, and a thriving planet. This isn’t just a job for government — businesses, faith communities, farms, and public service groups also need to do their part and lead the way.

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  • Climate Solutions for Your Home and Neighborhood

    Climate change is a big problem that affects everyone, so how can you and your family make a difference? It turns out there are lots…

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  • Climate Solutions for Your Community

    We have all been hearing about climate change and know we need to do something, but what? Communities around America are stepping up to support…

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  • Climate Solutions Advocacy with Policy Makers

    Moving policy makers to tackle climate change can be a rewarding task. Your voice and your personal story can make a difference. When officials hear…

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  • Moving Forward Guide

    No one ever ran for city council, county commissioner, or mayor to solve climate change, but its challenges are now present in our communities —…

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  • Climate Talking Points

    On alternating months we will pick a topic or theme related to climate change, provide a few positive talking points and some responses to key…

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  • Let’s Lead On Climate

    Hear from local community, health, and faith leaders across the U.S. who are successfully engaging their constituents in programs and initiatives that promote climate leadership,…

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  • American Climate Leadership Summit 2017

    On October 25 and 26, ecoAmerica brought together 300 diverse national leaders from across sectors and society to the National Press Club in Washington D.C

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  • Let’s Talk Communities & Climate: Communication Guidance for City and Community Leaders

    This guide equips local leaders with the tools to effectively engage their residents and stakeholders on climate solutions.

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  • Let’s Talk Climate: Messages to Motivate Latino Americans

    This guide combines qualitative and quantitative research to offer culturally relevant words, phrases, and narratives for successfully engaging fellow Latinos on climate.
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  • Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Inequities, Responses

    This report chronicles the impacts of climate change on Americans’ mental health and psychological well-being and provides guidance and resources to act and advocate.
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  • 15 Steps to Create Effective Climate Communications

    An update to our original Communicating on Climate: 13 Steps and Guiding Principles, this guide outlines a specific, easy-to-follow process for crafting and delivering successful…
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  • Improve Energy Use in Core Operations

    There are many opportunities to take simple steps to improve the energy performance of your buildings and core operations, while reducing energy costs…

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  • Recycle More, Waste Less

    Promote cost and energy savings available through waste reduction, recycling, composting, and less polluting waste management and disposal.
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  • Use Renewable Energy

    Save money and create innovative solutions that advance livability and benefit your community by using renewable energy sources that are available and affordable to power…
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  • Establish Sustainable Land Use Programs

    Local governments own and manage public land and green space that can benefit communities through sustainable design and use.
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  • Conserve Water and Manage Stormwater

    Local governments can better manage water use and treatment, as well as stormwater impacts, to save energy and limit climate impacts.
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  • Make the Path to Positive Commitment

    Through the Path to Positive pledge, your community can make a public commitment to lead by example and inspire others to care about climate change…
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  • Prioritize Climate-smart Purchasing and Contracting

    Choosing green and sustainable goods and services can green the entire supply chain, help build demand for sustainable supplies and practices, and send a strong…
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  • Audit Your Facilities

    Conduct an audit to identify opportunities to reduce the energy and utility bills of your core operations.
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  • Promote Energy Efficient Buildings and Facilities

    The best way to cut climate pollution is to use less energy. Aid your local residents and businesses by providing goods and services that promote…
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  • Provide Sustainable Transportation Options

    Make it easy for staff and citizens to get to work and school by providing accessible civic infrastructure.
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  • Launch a Sustainability Program

    Turn your commitment into action more quickly by designating local government staff to plan and enact programs.
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  • Conduct a Climate Assessment

    Determining your local government and community-wide climate pollution will allow you to establish a benchmark against which to measure future climate pollution reduction goals.
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  • Make a Climate Plan

    Work with your agencies and staff to establish reasonable goals and achievable measures for climate pollution reduction.
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  • Challenge Your Peers to Get on the Path to Positive

    You have the unique opportunity to grow your network and collaborate with fellow leaders by inviting others to join you on your path.
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  • Connect with Your Citizens and Peers Online and Offline

    Successfully connect with your citizens, peers, organizations and other communities, both online and offline, to share ideas, learn and build new relationships/partnerships.
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  • Host a “Climate Solutions” Event

    Special events such as community meetings, annual fairs and holiday celebrations create opportunities to reach established and new audiences.
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  • Feature Plans and Progress in Your Speeches

    From your experience, there is nothing more powerful than a great speech. Here we will equip you with the right resources to speak confidently and…
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  • Create Your Climate Engagement Strategy

    Find innovative and inspiring ways to keep climate solutions a part of your citizens’ daily lives by building a plan to share opportunities, communicate progress…
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  • Form a Climate Solutions Engagement Team

    Building a strong solutions team to implement the steps along your path is one way to expand and empower the support you need to be…
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  • Build and Promote Your Climate Solutions Platform

    In your platform, we will equip you to make a case for climate solutions within your community that resonates with the values of your citizens,…
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  • Get Your Community on the Path to Positive With Path to Positive Communities

    Our “Get Started Guide” offers ideas on how to get your community on a path to a positive future, from introducing ideas to implementing climate…
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  • Take Care and Prepare Your Community

    It is not too early to assess how and where your community will experience adverse climate impacts, and to begin preparing for those impacts. Research…
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  • Engage and Inspire the Whole Community

    Local businesses, schools, professional offices and residents want to help! Issue friendly competitive challenges to get them involved.
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  • Get Your Community on the Path to Positive With Path to Positive Communities

    Our “Get Started Guide” offers ideas on how to get your community on a path to a positive future, from introducing ideas to implementing climate…
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