The governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington have agreed to work together to reduce greenhouse gases. Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona said, “In the absence of meaningful federal action, it is up to the states … to address climate change.” The governors said their region has suffered some of the worst of global warming with recent droughts and bad fire seasons. Meanwhile, more than 60 countries, including the United States, will participate in the International Polar Year to examine the effects of climate change on the Arctic and Antarctica.

Robin Bell, chair of the U.S. Committee for the International Polar Year: “This program is incredibly important because the poles are changing faster than anywhere else in our planet, and while they seem remote and off the map, what’s happening there will influence our society and societies around the world. If we don’t understand how that’s happening, then.”

The project also will determine how climate change affects indigenous populations, plants and animals and the rest of the globe.