Adapting to Climate Change in the United States: What and How Are We Learning from Each Other?
Abstract
1. Introduction
- How has the content shared at climate adaptation convenings changed over time?
- How do learning outcomes compare between online and in-person climate convenings?
- How have lessons learned from on-line convenings been applied to post-pandemic regional/national adaptation forums, and what opportunities remain?
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. National Adaptation Forum Survey Data
2.2. National Adaptation Forum Attendance Data
2.3. National Adaptation Forum Topic Data
3. Results
3.1. National Adaptation Forum Survey and Attendance Data
3.1.1. Survey Response Rates and Sectoral Attendance Data
3.1.2. Survey Results
3.2. National Adaptation Forum Trends in Topics
4. Discussion
4.1. Benefits of In-Person vs. Online Interactions
Limitations of Survey Results
4.2. Where the Field Is Headed According to Topical Trends
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A. Post-Event Survey Questions (Listed by Convening)
- 1.
- Online: Tribal and Indigenous Climate Adaptation Series
- Rate how satisfied you were with the content presented in this series (Options: Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied, Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I acquired new knowledge. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I had meaningful interactions with other people. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I enjoyed participating. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I made new connections. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: implement an idea or suggestion from this series. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: collaborate with people I met on future climate projects. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: apply something I learned at the conference in my work. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: use resources that I was introduced to. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: attend another climate conference. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- 2.
- Online: Monitoring and Evaluation of Adaptation Progress and Successes Series
- Rate how satisfied you were with the content presented in this series (Options: Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied, Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I acquired new knowledge. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I had meaningful interactions with other people. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I enjoyed participating. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I made new connections. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: implement an idea or suggestion from this series. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: collaborate with people I met on future climate projects. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: apply something I learned at the conference in my work. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: use resources that I was introduced to. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: attend another climate conference. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- 3.
- Online: Responding to Climate-Amplified Extreme Weather Events Series
- Rate how satisfied you were with the content presented in this series (Options: Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied, Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I acquired new knowledge. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I had meaningful interactions with other people. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I enjoyed participating. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- To what extent do you agree with the following statements about your participation in the series? I made new connections. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: implement an idea or suggestion from this series. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: collaborate with people I met on future climate projects. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: apply something I learned at the conference in my work. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: use resources that I was introduced to. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending this series, I intend to: attend another climate conference. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- 4.
- In-Person: 5th National Adaptation Forum
- What is your overall evaluation of the 2022 National Adaptation Forum? (Options: Excellent, Above Average, Average, Below Average, Very Poor)
- I learned new skills and/or acquired new knowledge. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- I had meaningful interactions with other people. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- I enjoyed participating. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- I made new connections. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending the 2022 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: implement an idea or suggestion. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- After attending the 2022 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: collaborate with people I met on future climate projects. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- After attending the 2022 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: apply something I learned at the conference in my work. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- After attending the 2022 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: use resources that I was introduced to. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- After attending the 2022 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: attend another climate conference. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- 5.
- In-Person: 6th National Adaptation Forum
- What is your overall evaluation of the 2024 National Adaptation Forum? (Options: Excellent, Above Average, Average, Below Average, Very Poor)
- I learned new skills and/or acquired new knowledge. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- I had meaningful interactions with other people. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- I enjoyed participating. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- I made new connections. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending the 2024 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: implement an idea or suggestion. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- After attending the 2024 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: collaborate with people I met on future climate projects. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
- After attending the 2024 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: apply something I learned at the conference in my work. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- After attending the 2024 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: use resources that I was introduced to. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
- After attending the 2024 National Adaptation Forum, I intend to: attend another climate conference. (Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, N/A)
Appendix B. National Adaptation Forum Session Topic Data
| Topic Area | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2024 |
| Agriculture and Food Security | 0.80% | 2.40% | 2.70% | 2.40% | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Art, Storytelling, and Movement | 0.00% | 0.90% | 0.40% | 0.20% | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Natural Resources | 14.40% | 9.50% | 11.30% | 9.40% | 5.70% | 5.20% |
| Built Environment | 2.80% | 3.00% | 2.30% | 1.50% | 4.30% | 2.20% |
| Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Intersection | 2.80% | 3.30% | 2.50% | 2.00% | 7.40% | 4.30% |
| Climate Displacement, Migration, and Gentrification | 1.60% | 0.00% | 1.70% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.70% |
| Climate Grief and Anxiety | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.20% | 0.20% | 0.20% | 0.70% |
| Climate Justice and Equity | 2.80% | 3.30% | 4.80% | 5.60% | 9.80% | 7.90% |
| Communications and Stakeholder Engagement | 5.60% | 8.00% | 8.40% | 10.00% | 3.00% | 6.10% |
| Decision-making Tools and Technology | 11.20% | 15.50% | 11.10% | 10.20% | 6.80% | 8.40% |
| Economics, Workforce Development, and Green Jobs | 0.40% | 2.10% | 1.90% | 1.30% | 1.30% | 0.70% |
| Energy Solutions | 0.40% | 1.80% | 1.10% | 1.10% | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Extreme Events, Emergency Management, and Natural Hazard Mitigation Planning | 8.40% | 4.80% | 5.10% | 5.10% | 5.00% | 4.70% |
| Faith-Focused Adaptation | 0.00% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.20% | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Financing Adaptation | 1.60% | 0.60% | 2.10% | 2.00% | 1.70% | 2.20% |
| Floodplain Management | 0.80% | 0.90% | 0.60% | 0.90% | 1.90% | 0.90% |
| Hazardous Waste and Remediation | 0.00% | 0.30% | 0.40% | 0.20% | 0.00% | 0.50% |
| Implementation of Adaptation | 5.60% | 5.40% | 1.90% | 2.50% | 9.70% | 7.50% |
| Infrastructure | 3.60% | 3.90% | 4.20% | 3.40% | 2.40% | 1.30% |
| Insurance and Risk Management | 0.80% | 0.60% | 0.40% | 1.60% | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| International Perspectives | 2.00% | 0.60% | 1.10% | 1.10% | 0.40% | 0.00% |
| Land Use Planning | 2.80% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.80% | 2.10% | 1.10% |
| Local Capacity Building | 2.00% | 1.80% | 1.70% | 2.00% | 1.40% | 4.30% |
| Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Management | 3.20% | 1.80% | 1.90% | 1.30% | 3.90% | 3.00% |
| Nature-Based Solutions | 2.80% | 3.00% | 3.80% | 2.20% | 1.70% | 4.80% |
| Network Building | 4.00% | 5.10% | 2.50% | 5.60% | 1.10% | 1.40% |
| Policy Solutions for Adaptation | 3.20% | 2.70% | 2.70% | 1.30% | 0.70% | 3.60% |
| Politics of Climate Change Adaptation | 2.80% | 0.30% | 0.60% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.90% |
| Public and Private Sector Partnerships | 2.40% | 3.60% | 1.90% | 2.20% | 1.50% | 2.30% |
| Public Health: Environmental, Physical, Behavioral, and Mental | 0.80% | 0.90% | 2.30% | 2.70% | 2.70% | 4.50% |
| Research and Science of Adaptation | 2.40% | 2.10% | 2.70% | 3.10% | 4.90% | 3.00% |
| Rural and Island Communities | 0.80% | 0.90% | 1.90% | 1.60% | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Social Resilience and Transformation | 1.60% | 1.20% | 0.20% | 0.90% | 5.40% | 2.90% |
| Sustainability | 0.00% | 0.60% | 0.40% | 0.50% | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Transportation | 1.20% | 2.10% | 1.30% | 1.10% | 0.70% | 0.90% |
| Tribal and Indigenous Perspectives | 2.00% | 3.00% | 6.10% | 5.30% | 2.00% | 3.00% |
| Water Resources | 2.40% | 2.70% | 3.40% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 0.90% |
| Youth Engagement and Education | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.60% | 0.70% | 0.80% | 2.20% |
Appendix C. Topics from National Adaptation Forum Programs That Made Up Less than 2.5% of Sessions from 2013 to 2024
| Topic Areas That Represent < 2.5% of Programmatic Content |
| Art, Storytelling, and Movement |
| Climate Grief and Anxiety |
| Economics, Workforce Development, and Green Jobs |
| Energy Solutions |
| Faith-Focused Adaptation |
| Financing Adaptation |
| Floodplain Management |
| Hazardous Waste and Remediation |
| Insurance and Risk Management |
| International Perspectives |
| Rural and Island Communities |
| Sustainability |
| Transportation |
| Youth Engagement and Education |
Appendix D. National Adaptation Proposal Review Criteria
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| Series Timing | Title (Online) or Location (In-Person) | Data Used in This Research |
|---|---|---|
| Online series | ||
| October–November 2021 | Tribal and Indigenous Climate Adaptation | Survey Attendance Sector affiliation |
| March–April 2022 | Monitoring and Evaluation of Adaptation Progress and Successes | Survey Attendance |
| April–May 2023 | Responding to Climate-Amplified Extreme Weather Events | Survey Attendance Sector Affiliation |
| In-person forums | ||
| April 2013 | Denver, CO, USA | Presentation topics |
| May 2015 | St. Louis, MO, USA | Presentation topics |
| May 2017 | St. Paul, MN, USA | Presentation topics |
| April 2019 | Madison, WI, USA | Presentation topics Attendance |
| October 2022 | Baltimore, MD, USA | Survey Presentation topics Sector affiliation Attendance |
| May 2024 | St. Paul, MN, USA | Survey Presentation topics Sector affiliation Attendance |
| Topic Areas | |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and Food Security | Insurance and Risk Management |
| Art, Storytelling, and Movement | International Perspectives |
| Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Natural Resources | Land Use Planning |
| Built Environment | Local Capacity Building |
| Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Intersection | Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Management |
| Climate Displacement, Migration, and Gentrification | Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) |
| Climate Grief and Anxiety | Network Building |
| Climate Justice and Equity | Policy Solutions for Adaptation |
| Communications and Stakeholder Engagement | Politics of Climate Change Adaptation |
| Decision-making Tools and Technology | Public and Private Sector Partnerships |
| Economics, Workforce Development, and Green Jobs | Public Health: Environmental, Physical, Behavioral, and Mental |
| Energy Solutions | Research and Science of Adaptation |
| Extreme Events, Emergency Management, and Natural Hazard Mitigation Planning | Rural and Island Communities |
| Faith-Focused Adaptation | Social Resilience and Transformation |
| Financing Adaptation | Sustainability |
| Floodplain Management | Transportation |
| Hazardous Waste and Remediation | Tribal and Indigenous Perspectives |
| Implementation of Adaptation | Water Resources |
| Infrastructure | Youth Engagement and Education |
| Online Series | In-Person Events | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribal Adaptation | Monitoring and Evaluation | Extreme Weather | 2022 National Adaptation Forum | 2024 National Adaptation Forum | |
| Attending/Responded | 785/50 | 374/31 | 864/36 | 838/302 | 1095/355 |
| Percent responded | 6% | 8% | 4% | 36% | 32% |
| Sector | |||||
| Government | 44% | nd | 53% | 32% | 37% |
| Non-Profit | 23% | nd | 16% | 34% | 25% |
| University | 15% | nd | 17% | 14% | 16% |
| Corporate/For-Profit | 9% | nd | 8% | 15% | 16% |
| Community Group | 1% | nd | 0.5% | nd | nd |
| Student/Fellow | 3% | nd | 2% | 5% | 4% |
| Unaffiliated/Other | 6% | nd | 3.5% | nd | 4% |
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Rudnick, D.A.; Schafer, C.; Hansen, L.J.; Brousseau, J. Adapting to Climate Change in the United States: What and How Are We Learning from Each Other? Sustainability 2025, 17, 8789. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198789
Rudnick DA, Schafer C, Hansen LJ, Brousseau J. Adapting to Climate Change in the United States: What and How Are We Learning from Each Other? Sustainability. 2025; 17(19):8789. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198789
Chicago/Turabian StyleRudnick, Deborah A., Carey Schafer, Lara J. Hansen, and Jennifer Brousseau. 2025. "Adapting to Climate Change in the United States: What and How Are We Learning from Each Other?" Sustainability 17, no. 19: 8789. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198789
APA StyleRudnick, D. A., Schafer, C., Hansen, L. J., & Brousseau, J. (2025). Adapting to Climate Change in the United States: What and How Are We Learning from Each Other? Sustainability, 17(19), 8789. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198789

