Great Lakes state and provincial climate change mitigation and adaptation

This paper examines the state of climate change policy among the Great Lakes states and provinces based on a July 2009 literature and internet review and subsequent interviews, conference calls and/or email exchanges in 2009 and 2010. The Great Lakes states and provinces have enacted a number of measures that either mitigate against or facilitate adaptation to climate change. However, many policies around the region do not cite climate change as a factor in the calculation of benefits. Although the policies may have a direct impact on climate change, they are often implemented based on energy efficiency, pollution concerns or economic factors.