The United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) this week welcomed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), its first new member in nearly two decades.
USGCRP members are agencies that conduct global change research and utilize it for their missions while providing a link between decision-makers and their information needs to scientists. DHS is the program’s 14th member, granting it the ability to tap its scientific research in pursuit of national preparedness and resilience. Under its purview, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will serve as the departmental representative for its first two-year term before switching to the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) after 2024.
“The Department of Homeland Security is honored to be the newest member of the United States Global Change Research Program, and we look forward to working with the other members to strengthen our nation’s preparedness and resilience against climate change and other challenges we face,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said. “To address the evolving challenges we face, we are constantly looking to build greater cohesion both within the federal government and outside of it. DHS’s membership on the USGCRP is part of that critical effort and supports our enduring mission to safeguard the homeland.”
FEMA intends to make climate change a foremost concern at the USGCRP. According to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, it will partner with federal agencies to continue analyzing how climate change threatens the well-being of people throughout the United States and offer input on climate change research. This also aligns with FEMA’s own 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
“As the Department’s primary representative in the program, we will work with our partners to provide input on climate change research to better fulfill our Department’s mission while also advancing FEMA’s strategic goal to lead whole of community in climate resilience,” Criswell said.