The Foreign Service Journal, October 2021

34 OCTOBER 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The farmer said that the state’s indigenous communities shared his deep spiritual connection with the land. People sharing differ- ent perspectives resulted in a co-owned set of recommendations. Wisconsin leaders recognize the interrelationships among pro- grams and citizens who interact with nature differently but with a common concern for conservation, whether businesspeople, environ- mental justice advocates, hunters, snowmobilers, fishermen, cross- country skiers, activists, farmers or bird watchers. Incorporating American Stories into Climate Diplomacy There is a unique opportunity to share the successes and lessons learned from local deliberations in our international climate change work, not only to honor our own most innovative and climate- vulnerable citizens but also to highlight similarities with our allies around the globe. The 2021 Truman Report on Transforming the State Depart- ment makes a strong case for creation of an Office of State and Local Diplomacy to foster a more just, equitable and innovative insti- tution. As the report notes: “Expanding the diplomatic toolbox to include state and local diplomacy adds an untapped dimension to U.S. foreign policy. …Mayors and governors are first responders to national security priorities like climate change [and others].” If integrated into our foreign policy structure, these representative offices, this subnational diplomacy, could help us to tell more stories like the Monroe County and Wisconsin Climate Change Task Forces. Beyond local governments, we can better learn from and showcase transformational nongovernmental voices like Kathy Egland, chairwoman of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee. After leading local rebuilding efforts in Gulfport, Louisiana, following Hurricane Katrina and a successful grassroots effort to address the environmental effects of a failing coal plant less than five miles from her home, Egland has chaired the ECJ committee since its establishment in 2010. A recognized international leader in climate change and social justice, she also led the broader U.S. Climate Action Network to the Conference of the Parties 25 in Madrid. In Wisconsin, outdoor enthusiast groups such as Ducks Unlim- ited continue to work to preserve wetlands. This group is made up of hunters and other traditional outdoorsmen who hope their children and grandchildren will have the opportunity to experience the outdoors the way they have. In a promising step toward incorporat- ing diverse rural views and interests into the national conversation on environment and climate change policy, the White House appointed Catherine Coleman Flowers, founder of the U.S. Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, to the White House Environ- mental Justice Advisory Council. We have made good progress toward rebuilding international trust. The international community welcomed President Joe Biden’s day-one move to rejoin the Paris Agreement, and our commitment to cut emissions in half by 2030. The focal point of climate diplomacy is shifting frommultilateral talks to capitals, as our embassies and consulates encourage societies to reduce emissions and transpar- ently share results. By incorporating the storytelling power of our diverse citizens into our messaging, we reconnect with the diverse U.S. communities at the front lines in combating climate change at home. Our international climate policy is most persuasive and enduring when we forge the support of a bipartisan, diverse group of Americans, achieve results and sustain our commitments beyond the next few years. n Beyond local governments, we can better learn from and showcase transformational nongovernmental voices. At right, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, who headed the Wisconsin Climate Change Task Force, and the author at the U.S. delegation room for the COP 25 in Madrid in 2019. COURTESYOFHOLLYKIRKINGLOOMIS