Mayor Garcetti Apppointed to Climate Change/Weather Task Force

President Barack Obama Monday appointed Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to a task force overseeing federal efforts to guard against droughts, floods, wildfires and storms related to climate change.

Garcetti will team up Gov. Jerry Brown, who also was appointed to the panel along with 24 other state, local and tribal officials. As a group, they will advise federal agencies on funding for programs aimed at beefing up infrastructure to withstand natural disasters.

The task force, formed by a presidential executive order, also will take a look at the management of water and land resources, such as creating natural barriers against storms.

The panel also will study "extreme weather" and recommend ways "evaluate and address" the risks of climate change, according to a White House statement.

Garcetti said he was "honored" to be appointed.

"I look forward to working with the White House to better protect Los Angeles and other cities from the realities of climate change while continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through smart investments in renewable energy, efficiency, and transit," he said.

Also appointed to the panel were Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal.

- City News Service