The BlueGreen Alliance, a group made up of environmentalists and unions, said it was pleased that President Barack Obama recently issued an executive order establishing a climate preparedness task force.

“Establishing a climate task force is an important step forward that will help better prepare and protect communities for the effects of climate change,” said D. Michael Langford, national president of the Utility Workers Union of America. “The worst of much of the severe weather over the last year could have been prevented with forethought and investment. This Executive Order will help us to lay the foundation to build a strong economy that’s more climate resilient and which includes infrastructure development for the future. It’s vital that we take this problem seriously and start investing in our communities today. We applaud this critical step forward and look forward to putting the insight and practical ideas that come from this group to work in the near future.”