From the Introduction: "This Guide offers reliable methodologies, strategies, information and resources for designing and conducting discussion-based exercises focused on climate adaptation and resilience planning. Exercises offer communities a low-risk and cost-effective way to increase preparedness for all threats and hazards, including the potential long-term impacts of climate change. Specifically, exercises offer a structured approach to: [1] Identify resource requirements, capability gaps, strengths, areas for improvement and potential best practices; [2] Provide a common framework of understanding; and [3] Provide a good starting point for developing or making major changes to existing plans, policies or procedures. To give a community everything it needs to prepare for and execute an exercise, this Guide provides three categories of information: 1. 'Guidance and basic principles' to inform community exercises, including climate adaptation, hazard mitigation planning and building community resilience as they relate to current threats, hazards, future conditions and risks. 2. 'Tools and templates' for building exercises that include climate considerations and hazard mitigation practices. 3. 'Resources' identifying climate-related programs, funding and training across all levels of government, nonprofit organizations, private sector entities and the academic community."