According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in 2022, the United States experienced 18 weather or climate disaster events¹ that resulted in losses totaling more than $1 billion each.

Human-induced climate change¹ is already having a global impact. We see regular evidence of this in the form of increasingly powerful hurricanes, uncontrollable wildfires, record-breaking high- and low-temperatures, and other extreme weather events.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) was founded in 1906 to facilitate positive change and advance excellence in public finance. The association, which currently comprises more than 20,000 members, represents federal, state/provincial, and local finance officials across the United States and Canada. 

The goods and services state and local governments provide are largely determined by the needs and priorities of the communities they serve. Funding for these programs is transferred down from the federal level to the state or municipal level, depending on which jurisdiction administers the services.

Local government budgets allocate funds for a broad range of community services, from repairing potholes to addressing public health crises. But without effective budgeting software, many funding decisions about these essential programs and services are made in a vacuum.

Climate change is already impacting regions worldwide, and the effects will only intensify going forward.

In North America, we are regularly experiencing harsher winters, hotter summers, and extreme weather-related events, such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, wildfires, and landslides. These events have a catastrophic impact on towns and cities that aren’t designed with the infrastructure needed to handle new threats and challenges.

To address rapidly changing climate conditions, local governments are adopting climate action plans that identify and adapt community goals for health and safety, economic growth, sustainable energy, and quality of life as climate-driven changes occur.

Governments must continually juggle multiple issues of immediate importance. Resource scarcity and organizational constraints make it difficult to address "new" issues such as climate action. However, local governments don't have the luxury of not preparing for the impacts of climate change. They have the unique opportunity to lead local climate action by helping their communities adapt to climate change and reducing emissions.

Local governments and community healthcare services are often pressed for resources. This can lead to gaps in social safety nets that provide essential health and wellness services to residents.

The City of Pittsburgh Launches New Budget Transparency Tool on City Website
See how the city uses taxes through the budget to meet resident priorities. You can explore budget spending data and join the conversation!

Our world doesn’t just feel different than it felt a decade ago—it is different. These changes are felt most acutely at the community level as we grapple with complex issues like climate change, social inequity, and rampant public health crises.