California gets top marks for climate adaptation from national assessment

A tracking tool developed by researchers at Georgetown University ranks the climate readiness of each state in the union, according to Grist. The state-by-state list acknowledges California as the most ready, followed by Massachusetts and New York.

The tool takes into account each state’s climate action plans and tabulates the progress each has made. California, with 345 goals for addressing climate issues laid out, has tackled 48 of them.

It’s worth noting that only 14 states have put forth climate adaptation plans. Most of the few that have them are in coastal areas, which are expected to be the first to feel the strongest effects of climate change.