Yesterday, Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) joined Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-52) and U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to introduce the National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act (NCARS), a bipartisan bill to streamline the federal response to climate hazards that threaten human health and well-being, critical infrastructure, and natural systems.
The increasingly severe weather events of recent years are a stark reminder that frontline communities are at increasing risk. In 2021 alone, damages from extreme weather in the U.S. exceeded $145 billion. Vulnerable areas like South Florida face increasing harm from slow-moving hazards like sea level rise, which is often overlooked in comparison to punctuated disaster events despite their significant impact. This will help combat salt-water intrusion into the Everglades and reinforce our shorelines against extreme weather.
“Climate change is a real threat to South Florida, and Miami is ground zero for sea-level rise,” said Representative Maria Elvira Salazar. “I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act, which will implement a much-needed strategy to build our resilience against hurricane damage, storm surges, and flooding, while protecting Florida’s most vulnerable crown jewels like the Everglades. This bill will make communities across America much safer when natural disasters strike, allowing Florida to protect both its citizens and its environment.”
“As part of our mission to aggressively combat the climate crisis, we must also prepare our communities for unavoidable climate impacts. In San Diego, this includes more frequent and intense wildfires, drought, heat waves, and rising sea levels that will endanger the health, safety, and livelihoods of people in my district,” said Representative Scott Peters. “The National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act will enhance the federal government's climate resilience efforts, especially its ability to help ensure communities are protected against more extreme weather events. Having a robust national strategy will be essential as we face the increasingly dangerous climate hazards of the future.”
“It’s not enough to just combat further impacts of climate change; unfortunately, we also must face up to the consequences that man-made climate change has already caused,” said Senator Chris Coons. “This bill sets out commonsense first steps so that the federal government can deliver sustainable, resilient, and equitable climate solutions in Delaware, our country’s lowest lying state, as well as for Americans in frontline communities across the nation.”
“Alaska communities and infrastructure are already being impacted by the impacts of climate change. Individual federal agencies have developed services and programs to help adapt to these hazards, but the current structure has made it challenging for communities to identify and successfully request assistance,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski. “Our bipartisan legislation would direct the President to appoint a Chief Resilience Officer, who would oversee the development of a unified strategy for climate adaptation and resilience. The strategy would include recommendations to address outstanding gaps in federal resilience operations, streamline redundant efforts across agencies, and improve communication with vulnerable communities. This will be a positive step in optimizing the federal government’s ability to support adaptation efforts in Alaska and across the country.”
The National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act would:
- Require the development of a whole-of-government National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy, which would ensure a unified vision for the U.S. government’s response to climate hazards and direct the swift implementation of equitable climate resilience solutions across federal agencies;
- Authorize a Chief Resilience Officer in the White House to direct national resilience efforts and lead the development of the U.S. Resilience Strategy; and
- Authorize interagency resilience Working Groups and a non-federal Partners Council with representatives from frontline communities to strengthen strategic development and facilitate communication between federal agencies and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.
A one-pager on the bill can be found here. Bill text is available here.
Original source can be found here.
