There’s much that Congress can do to build infrastructure that’s truly green and can begin to protect communities from the threats of ever-stronger storms.

Real green infrastructure includes rain gardens, cisterns, and bioretention plantings that capture stormwater; bioswales, permeable pavers, and living roofs that mitigate flooding; and solar or wind power systems that don’t exacerbate climate change.

Members of Congress can demand such green infrastructure as part of the standard budget process. Please call, write, or tweet your Members of Congress to ask them to include stormwater capture, flood mitigation, or carbon-neutral energy sources in the appropriations process.