On November 1, 2013 President Obama signed an Executive Order in which he called on Federal, State, local, tribal, private-sector, and non-profit sector stakeholders to improve preparedness for the effects of climate change, such as prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, more heavy downpours, an increase in wildfires, more severe droughts, permafrost thawing, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise. The Executive Order directs agencies to remove federal government hurdles to climate resiliency and calls for information and tools to help state, local and private-sector leaders make climate-smart decisions. The Executive Order also establishes an interagency council on climate preparedness and resilience chaired by the White House, which will receive advice from a task force of state, local and tribal leaders. Read the Executive Order at WhiteHouse.gov.