In the News

The impacts of extreme climate events like wildfires, droughts, and heat waves, as well as longer-term hazards like rising sea levels, are increasing at a staggering rate. In 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that the U.S. experienced 28 weather and climate disasters that each caused more than $1 billion in damage (the highest number on record). If policymakers are serious about curbing this alarming trend, they must prioritize effective adaptation and resilience planning to prevent damage to properties and businesses and save lives.

Enacting legislation to coordinate federal adaptation efforts is vital to overcoming some of these barriers and enabling communities to limit climate impacts.

Two recently introduced pieces of bipartisan legislation would, if enacted, enable the federal government to boost the nation’s resilience to climate disasters through increased planning and coordination.

The Preparedness and Risk Management for Extreme Weather Patterns Assuring Resilience and Effectiveness (PREPARE Act) garnered bipartisan support when it was introduced in the House by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA). The bill creates an interagency council that would guide the implementation of extreme weather resilience, preparedness, and risk identification initiatives and requires agencies to incorporate extreme weather events into their planning. The bill supports regional planning efforts and provides resources for adaptation planning to Tribal, state, and local governments.

Read more here.