AUSTIN, Texas — Climate change is already a reality in Texas, and experts believe the worst is yet to come. According to the United Nations, the world only has about a decade to avoid the worst consequences. But despite being one of the most vulnerable states, Texas also ranks among the most unprepared to handle the impacts of climate change.

That’s according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University and Trust for America’s Health. The assessment was based on things like geography, environment, and social factors such as large, low-income populations who are most at risk for experiencing the worst effects.

“Texas scored low on social capital and social cohesion which is how a community sort of hangs together,” said Megan Latshaw, a program director at Johns Hopkins University and one of the authors of that report. “[It] also scored lower on mental and behavioral health care, and lately when we looked at preparedness for how to handle the health effects of climate change, we couldn't even find that Texas has even considered what the health effects of climate change would be."

Latshaw recommends that Texas makes improvements in public health, but also says that federal officials need to step up, too.

“We need a national plan to address this,” said Latshaw. “We can’t just plan, we need federal funding. So we can help states, like Texas, move this forward.”

You can watch that full interview above.