This remarkable book sets out the results of a collaboration between 150 diverse Action for Climate Empowerment leaders in drawing up a national strategic planning framework for the United States, with a shared vision, specific recommendations, and a procedural roadmap as a means of promoting public understanding and participation in addressing the climate challenge. If this were adopted at the federal level, it would represent an extraordinary demonstration of visionary leadership that is absolutely essential in our time. ~ David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer

“Tackling the climate crisis offers enormous opportunities to advance health, well-being, equity, and security—to create better lives and deliver a better future for all. Embracing this potential requires widespread information-sharing and public engagement. The ACE Strategic Planning Framework is a readable, inspiring trail map for that journey. Read it, sign on to it, act on it!” ~ Howard Frumkin, Former Director, National Center for Environmental Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Email to author

"The UNFCCC Article 6 Action for Climate Empowerment agenda plays a crucial role in directing humanity to respond to the climate crisis. Recognizing this, a group of leaders from a wide range of disciplines and communities has built a strategic planning framework for the United States. This is an urgently needed effort. I urge policymakers to embrace this framework for engaging and empowering the public to act on climate.” ~ Michael Mann, Distinguished Professor, Penn State University and Author of The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet, Email to author

"In shaping this smart climate agenda that empowers all Americans, Tom Bowman, Deb Morrison, and a large group of diverse leaders have done something remarkable. At just the right moment for a nation recovering from a devastating pandemic shock and years of political toxicity, they have identified a modest passage in the global climate agreement that the new presidential administration can grasp to vault back into global leadership. Their efforts will create opportunities for all citizens to find a place in a grand effort building equitable resilience and an energy system that works for the long haul." ~ Andrew Revkin, climate journalist since 1985 and founding director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute Initiative on Communication and Sustainabi, Email to Author

"Solving the climate crisis will require the coordinated actions not just of 190+ national leaders, but the coordinated actions of 7.5 billion human beings worldwide. It is essential to inform, engage, and empower all people to understand the risks of intensifying climate change, to prepare for the impacts, and to build the safer, healthier, more equitable, and prosperous world we and our children want to live in. This short book outlines a framework by which the United States can again lead the world by developing and implementing the first national strategy to empower the American people, in partnership with government, business, and civil society, to protect the life-support systems of our shared planet, rebuild our nation, and set an example for the world to follow.” ~ Anthony Leiserowitz, Director, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, Email to Author

“The ACE National Strategy Planning Framework makes it clear that an engaged, climate literate public can be the United States' greatest asset in climate action, and a special brand of global climate leadership. This framework is built on the best of cross-sector thinking and engagement and reinforced by climate and social sciences. It recommends the first and best path forward as a nation: by and for The People.” ~ Sarah Sutton, Cultural Sector Lead, We Are Still In, Email to Author

“The Action for Climate Empowerment National Strategic Planning Framework offers a toolkit for groups hoping to create their own roadmaps, drawing together the wisdom found throughout our society, including the academic community.” ~ Baruch Fischhoff, Howard Heinz Professor, Institute for Policy and Strategy, Carnegie Mellon University, Email to Author

“The science is unequivocal: humans are causing our world to warm. The need for large-scale action to avoid the worst scenarios grows ever more urgent. Now we have a new Action for Climate Empowerment National Strategic Planning Framework to point the way forward. The next step is clear: develop and implement an ACE strategic plan and, thus, restore U.S. climate leadership among the international community.” ~ David Herring, Communication, Education, and Engagement Division Chief, NOAA Climate Program Office, Email to Author

“Creating space for real conversations is challenging, but it’s the best way to solve problems together. The ACE process is like a road map, and the results are truly inspiring.” ~ Heidi Harmon, Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo, California, Email to Author

We urgently need public engagement on the climate issue, and this book couldn’t be more timely. ~ Jeff Nesbit, Executive Director, Climate Nexus, Email to author