The northeastern U.S. is a major electricity consumer with ambitious goals to transition to renewable energy. Solar and wind power are growing in the region, but perhaps its strongest renewable resource is a few steps behind.

The Paris climate talks shined a bright spotlight on the impacts of climate change and adaptation measures we’ll need to cope. Despite a rising concern about future climate change, the public and some industries do not yet perceive it as a near-term priority. That makes how to communicate effectively about the more immediate risks of climate change a core issue.