New Mexico unveils climate resiliency plan
Apr. 23—A commitment to resilience.
That's how New Mexico describes its recently released Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan, explaining it as a "blueprint for a more resilient New Mexico."
The state publicly published the 80-page plan online on Tuesday. The report lays out climate change impacts New Mexico faces and what action the state and its communities can take to combat the risks.
"This Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan represents a crucial step forward that reflects our dedication to the creation of a sustainable, climate-resilient future for all New Mexicans," the report states.
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department led the work on the plan, though a slew of other state agencies were also involved, including the New Mexico Environment Department, the Interstate Stream Commission and the Office of the State Engineer.
Key climate concerns listed in the report include water and drought, extreme heat, wildfires and flooding.
The plan focuses on what state energy office Director Rebecca "Puck" Stair described in the report as six core resilience themes: community and culture; ecosystems and natural resources; human health and wellness; water systems; infrastructure and built environment; and local economies.
Each theme has specific strategies and priority actions for implementing the strategies, such as sustainably managing natural resources or building up and reinforcing water-related infrastructure.
The report notes that climate change effects aren't uniform, "and certain communities are more vulnerable due to systemic burdens, including environmental and socioeconomic inequities."
"We all need to work together to anticipate, adapt, and respond to climate changes and other related changes," the report states. "Addressing historical disinvestment and disenfranchisement is critical to ensure equitable resilience efforts that benefit all communities."
Formal state efforts to build climate resilience started in 2019 when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order focused on climate change, according to the plan, and state leaders and partners developed the 2024 version of the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan last year following state workshops.
New Mexicans have a chance to give their thoughts on the plan and potentially change it. The state is hosting several in-person workshops around the state starting in May and a virtual workshop in the future.
The climate resiliency plan as well as a full list of the community workshops can be found online at climateaction.nm.gov/carp.
