The year 2020 was impacted by unprecedented natural disasters compounded by the historic public health hazards of COVID-19. Named storms were so abundant the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration ran out of alphabetical names and got halfway through the Greek alphabet. Louisiana alone bore the damages from five hurricanes; response teams were heavily burdened by multiple disasters while hampered by concerns about exposing people in crowded shelters and medical facilities. The wildfire season broke records again, covering vast expanses unheard of a decade ago. The rate of arctic ice and tundra melting has accelerated much faster than expected, contributing to air and sea temperature changes now poised to trigger further climate warming and associated weather extremes. As 2021 begins, there are several energy and sustainability-related changes anticipated as top priorities for the new administration, while some existing measures will continue. First, the United States will renew how it addresses climate policy, starting with re-joining the Paris Accord. An early announcement was the establishment of a Climate Envoy seated on the National Security Council, with former Secretary of State John Kerry named to the new position.
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