The World Bank announced it would spend 28% of its investments directly on climate change projects, and that all projects considered for funding will be screened for climate vulnerability. Under its new strategy, the World Bank will help fund the construction of renewable energy to power 150 million homes in developing countries, build early warning systems for climate-related disasters for 100 million people, support smart agricultural systems, and develop transport and urban infrastructure to produce much less carbon. ( Guardian)

Photo: NPS photo

The National Park Service (NPS) is celebrating its centennial with free admission this week, but how are our parks aging? The glaciers in Glacier National Park are melting, the snowpack in Yellowstone is decreasing, and blueberry bushes in Acadia are flowering weeks earlier than a century ago. At the 400+ landmarks managed by the NPS, warming temperatures and changing weather patterns are altering wildlife migration, increasing the severity and frequency of wildfires, and gradually decreasing the range of high-alpine habitats. ( Link)

A new report by Consumers Union (part of Consumer Reports) finds that households are projected to save up to $1,500 annually by 2030 from lower fuel costs, reduced travel times, and increased vehicle efficiencies as a result of California's climate policies. Another report from UCLA also finds cumulative consumer savings on household electricity and natural gas bills as a result of California's climate programs. ( NRDC, Sac Bee) 

Talking about climate change is not easy. The threat is too big to grasp and the straight facts are not enough to get most people engaged - so how can you spur them to take action? Over the past year, we've asked experts - activists, psychologists, policy wonks, even therapists - for their best advice. The conclusion? There's no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some broad do's and don't's to help you get your message across. ( Grist)

Photo: Bob McMillan/FEMA Photo

Scientists are concerned about how to prepare the fourth National Climate Assessment in language so that decision makers can understand climate risk. A well-tailored assessment could communicate the scope of climate change in meaningful ways so that communities can better work adaptation into their planning-whether it's reservoir managers trying to adjust to uncertain rainfall, ski resort operators assessing snowpack, or cities determining how high to build new pumping stations. This time around, more social scientists are getting involved to help frame risks. Many scientists say it's time for a report that explicitly lays out how much time people have to plan, prepare and even pay for the inevitable adaptation. ( Scientific American)

Research on the effectiveness of framing has been inconclusive. Frames that reach people and actually make a difference are resonant with their existing dispositions and affiliations; delivered by a trusted source; and repeated often enough to penetrate the pervasive information buzz. Changing the way climate change is framed in the popular imagination would require an enormous, well-funded, well-coordinate d campaign, and there's no guarantee it would work. ( Vox)

In example after example, researchers show how governments, politicians, and companies have framed climate change and its solutions in ways that seem intuitive but often fail - and can even make things worse. EV buyers, for example, care more about vanity than financial or environmental reasons. Researchers suggest that, instead of applying moral pressure, a better approach is to include stakeholders in the decision making and policy formulation process, offering options, providing feedback, and acknowledging challenges and barriers. ( Bloomberg)

Norwegian psychologist and economist Per Espen Stoknes uses social science to improve climate change messages. For example, painting an appealing picture of the future - a smarter, cleaner society - not one characterized by self-denial to motivate people. ( Grist)

A UCLA report finds that state policies are effectively protecting low-income Californians from the costs of electricity and natural gas companies compliance with Cap and Trade. Through the combined effects of an annual climate credit paid by investor-owned utilities to customers, low-income bill assistance, and the long-term trend of energy prices, households could gain cumulative benefits of $200-250 for electricity and $350-700 for natural gas by 2020. ( UCLA) 

Built upon research involving thousands of people in the UK, US, and Germany in 2015, Climate Visuals is an evidence-based resource for climate change communication. The website focuses on seven key principles for visual climate change communication, and hosts a growing library of images to provide inspiration and guidance for journalists, campaigners, bloggers, etc.  ( Link)

The Local Government Commission is looking for a passionate communications and administrative professional to join our team in launching a new AmeriCorps program. LGC has an immediate full-time position for a Project Associate to develop and support WaterCorps, which will complement our highly successful statewide AmeriCorps program - CivicSpark - Which is dedicated to building capacity for local governments to address climate change. WaterCorps will be working to provide professional development opportunities for 20 AmeriCorps Fellows while implementing targeted research, planning, and implementation projects related to California Water issues. ( Link)

Scholarships are available for local government staff to cover lodging and travel expenses of up to $400 for the Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum held June 15-16th in Riverside.  Please visit the "Scholarship" tab on the registration website. Don't delay - scholarships are limited! ( Link)

The National Recreation and Parks Association's Great Urban Parks Campaign demonstrates the effectiveness of green infrastructure to positively affect environmental change in underserved low-income communities and communities of color. The campaign involves two simultaneous strategies - education and pilot projects. Deadline: April 29, 2016. ( Link)

This LWCF program provides grants to States, their political subdivisions, and Indian tribes to acquire and/or develop public land for a range of outdoor recreation purposes, such as parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, campgrounds, bike trails, and sports fields, as well as supporting infrastructure. Applications are due April 29, 2016. ( Grants.gov)

The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program is making $500 million available for capital projects that generate economic development and improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable access to transportation for urban and rural communities. Deadline: April 29, 2016. ( DOT)

The SALCP is accepting applications for $40 million in grants to fund the purchase of agricultural conservation easements development of agricultural land strategy plans, and other mechanisms that result in GHG reductions and a more resilient agricultural sector. Deadline: May 2. ( Department of Conservation)

The RCPP has $260 million available for partner proposals to improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. Created by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP leverages local leadership to establish partnerships that work with farmers, ranchers and forest landowners on landscape- and watershed-scale conservation solutions that work best for their region. Pre-proposal deadline: May 10. ( USDA)

This multi-year program will encourage mid-sized cities, counties, and federally recognized tribes to convene multi-sector partnerships in support of positive health change. Awardees will receive community seed grants and will be offered technical assistance, subject matter expertise, and online educational opportunities throughout the challenge.  ( Learn more)

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program provides funds for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects for the purpose of reducing overall risk to the population and structures, while at the same time also reducing reliance on federal funding from actual disaster declarations. The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program provides funds so that measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. Deadline: June 15. ( Link)

The American Society for Adaptation Professionals - in partnership with the California Adaptation Forum - is launching its first Regional Adaptation Leadership Award competition at the California Adaptation Forum. The Award will recognize one individual who has distinguished her- or himself in the climate change adaptation field through exceptional leadership. Nominations are due July 1, 2016. ( Link)

The California Natural Resources Agency is accepting comments for the draft California Urban Rivers Grant Program guidelines.  Approximately $20 million in grants will be available for green infrastructure projects. A list of public hearings on the guidelines, and instructions for submitting comments, are available on  program's web page . The comment period runs through Friday, June 17. (Link)

Presenters include Elizabeth Yeampierre (UPROSE), Shalini Gupta (Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy), Garrett Fitzgerald (Urban Sustainability Directors Network), Kirsten Schwind (Bay Localize), and Shamar A. Bibbins (Kresge Foundation). ( More info, Register)

CivicSpark, a Governor's Initiative AmeriCorps Program dedicated to providing climate action project support to local governments, is now accepting project applications for the 2016-17 service year. Join this webinar to learn about being a project partner and having a CivicSpark AmeriCorps member work on climate action projects in your community. This webinar will cover the program structure, application process, local match costs, and answer questions. ( Register)

Pittsburgh's Chief Resilience Officer will explain how his city rebounded from its "Rust Belt" days of the 1980s to become a shining example of economic resilience and ecological recovery. Supported by a long list of local and regional partners, the city of Pittsburgh is currently working on its first resiliency plan and the third incarnation of its climate action plan. ( Register)

This webinar focuses on implementing conservation partnership programs between the military and public and private conservation stakeholders to enhance military readiness through habitat protection. Learn from military officials and environmental facilitation experts how shared resources can improve quality of life, reduce costs, and improve sustainability. ( Register)

The Davis Futures Forum presents Daniel Parolek, architect and innovator who has completely changed the way cities carry out planning and zoning. He will be speaking in Davis on Thursday, May 5 at 3:30pm in the Davis City Council Chambers and at 7pm in the Davis Community Church, 412 C Street. Presentations are free to the public. 

Registration is now open for the 7th annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum, offered at no cost to California local governments. The forum will feature updates from key state agencies, highlight innovative local energy and climate change programs, offer capacity-building trainings, and provide several networking opportunities. ( Register)