Create a climate-resilient and zero-carbon world, powered by renewable energy
Why It Matters
Climate change is already having a significant impact on wild animals around the globe. Changes in climate are altering the timing of life cycles, causing species to shift where they live, and in some cases even leading to extinction. We can help species adapt to our changing world by ensuring that our own responses to climate change factor in the health and wellbeing of the habitat and resources on which they depend.
Front Line Communities
Climate change imposes heavy burdens on those living nearest to floodplains, shorelines, and polluted city centers. By demanding cuts to dangerous pollution, providing access to green jobs, and spurring economic growth for all Americans, we can begin a fair transition to the economy of the future—one powered by clean and renewable energy. WWF recognizes and supports cities’ transitions toward 100% renewable energy. WWF also works with communities worldwide on environmentally responsible disaster recovery, reconstruction, and risk reduction.
In the US and around the world, climate change is destabilizing food production, displacing people in vulnerable countries, and threatening our shorelines with sea level rise and more extreme storms. The Paris Agreement is the world’s collective response to addressing climate change in the years to come. Although the US government has signaled its intention to withdraw from this global pact, America’s cities, states, and businesses are working with world leaders to turn the promise of that agreement into concrete action. Our collective security, health, and prosperity rest on urgent and collaborative action.
American taxpayers are paying the price for weather disasters, crop failures, and higher insurance rates associated with our warming world. The good news is that America’s leading businesses, along with our city and state leaders, are taking the lead on climate action. They are investing in clean renewable energy and locking in cheaper energy prices—and creating jobs, strong communities, and a more stable climate in the process.
Our Fresh Water
Climate change is altering patterns of weather and water around the world, causing shortages and droughts in some areas and floods in others. These changes will combine to make less water available for agriculture, energy generation, cities and ecosystems around the world. There’s a lot we can do to create a water-secure future, and it starts by learning how much water it takes to make the things in your daily life—from the coffee you drink to the t-shirts you wear. Once you know the water footprint of everyday items, choose wisely and purchase products that have a minimal impact on the places where they come from.
Both people and wildlife depend on the health of our oceans as a source of sustenance and livelihood. Our oceans absorb most of the warming and carbon pollution occurring today, even more than the atmosphere. Warmer oceans are driving stronger storms and bleaching coral reefs. As oceans absorb carbon dioxide, they become more acidic, threatening most shelled organisms, including small crustaceans fundamental to the marine food chain.
The Artic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the earth, affecting weather around the globe and threatening the foundation of Arctic ecosystems. Arctic summer sea ice is expected to disappear before mid-century, which will have cascading consequences worldwide. We can help conserve this region by protecting the Artic from offshore development, reducing pollution and accidents, and enhancing ecosystem resilience to climate change.
What WWF Is Doing
- Nikhil Advani Director, Climate, Communities and Wildlife
- Shaun Martin Senior Director, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
- Ryan Bartlett Director, Climate Risk Management & Resilience
- Elisabeth Kruger Senior Program Officer, Arctic Wildlife
- Chris Weber Global Climate and Energy Lead Scientist, Global Science
- Anita van Breda Senior Director, Environment and Disaster Management
- Marty Spitzer Senior Director, Climate and Renewable Energy
- Mariana Panuncio-Feldman Senior Director, International Climate Cooperation
- Christa Anderson Research Fellow, Global Science
- Rebecca Shaw Chief Scientist and Senior Vice President
- Elan Strait Director, U.S. Climate Campaigns
- Brad Schallert Director, Carbon Market Governance and Aviation
- Bridgette McAdoo Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Engagement, Freshwater & Food
- Brent Loken Global Food Lead Scientist