Across the United States, more frequent and destructive climate events are impacting Americans’ day-to-day lives and communities. The average annual damages from weather- and climate-related disasters jumped from $18 billion in the 1980s to $81 billion in the 2010s, and the 2020s are easily on pace to shatter that record.

Local governments are on the front lines of addressing climate risk, as they regulate and incentivize the location of new housing and commercial development, develop and operate transportation and water infrastructure, and oversee emergency preparedness and response. The rapidly growing field of climate analytics can help local governments adopt a more proactive approach to the crisis.

Using insights from San Diego, Jenny Schuetz, Adie Tomer, Julia Gill, and Caroline George show how U.S. leaders can leverage climate risk data to protect their communities.