Obama announces plans for 'climate hubs'

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- President Obama is expected to join Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack later today in announcing an effort to establish seven "climate hubs" around the country. The research and support centers will be aimed at helping Americans cope with the consequences of global warming.

The announcement is part of a continued rollout of executive initiatives in the wake of the presidents State of the Union address.

Officially called “Regional Hubs for Risk Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change,” the centers will analyze climate forecasting data and help link farmers and rural community members with resources to address fires, invasive pests, flooding, droughts, and related problems.

“USDA’s Climate Hubs are part of our broad commitment to developing the next generation of climate solutions, so that our agricultural leaders have the modern technologies and tools they need to adapt and succeed in the face of a changing climate,” Vilsack said in a statement released prior to the official announcement.

The iniative also makes good on the president's promise to avoid the stalemate on Capitol Hill and leverage his executive priveleges to solve problems -- environmental, educational, economic, and otherwise.

Vilsack is set to announce the seven locations of the new hubs at a White House briefing later today. But the hubs will only be new in scope, as they are set to be built on top of already established agricultural and research centers in: Ames, Iowa; Durham, N.H.; Raleigh, N.C.; Fort Collins, Colo.; El Reno, Okla.; Corvallis, Ore.; Las Cruces, N.M.; and Davis, Calif.

[The New York Times] [The Washington Post]