at 10:10 AM by Mallory Schnell

Kentucky Earns “D” on Climate Preparedness

Climate Central and ICF International have created a climate preparedness “report card” with the purpose of improving states’ efforts to combat future changes in climate threats. The report is the first-ever national analysis of state-level preparedness for climate-driven threats which takes into account the actions the states are currently taking, their specific threat levels, and a comparison to other states.

The five climate threats factored into the assessment are: extreme heat, drought, wildfires, inland flooding, and coastal flooding (not relevant to all states). The actions in which the states are taking to combat these threats are evaluated in consideration of effects on transportation, energy, water, health, and communities. Each state is given a grade (A-F) for each of the climate threats as well as an overall state grade.

Our state of Kentucky made an overall grade of a D, fitting into the top-10 worst overall assessed states. According to the report card, Kentucky made a D+ in extreme heat, drought, and wildfire threats; we dropped to an F for inland flooding. The reoccurring theme I found when reading through Kentucky’s assessment is the lack of preparation for future threats set off by climate change. Below is a summary regarding the reasoning behind Kentucky’s preparedness grade (States at Risk):

Kentucky faces considerable and significantly growing threat levels from extreme heat, drought, wildfire, and inland flooding between now and 2050. Kentucky earns a failing grade due to its lack of action to prepare for its future risks. The state lacks a climate change adaptation plan and has not incorporated climate change projections into state policies or programs.

To read more on Kentucky’s report and its comparison to other states, check out statesatrisk.org.