Climate Allies

Experiencing pervasive climate impacts, cities are not equipped to adapt on their own. Urban decision-makers are increasingly building coalitions within and beyond their regions to undertake the challenge of adaptation. In cities with a large defense presence, one key ally has been the military. Surprisingly constructive collaboration between cities and local installations points the way toward other partnerships, sometimes with more likely allies such as those in the healthcare field. In both of these cases, narratives about climate as a threat to national security and public health play an important role in building support and consolidating resources for adaptation.