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Fifth National Climate Assessment - Read the Report

Department of Homeland Security

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As a new member of the USGCRP, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeks to serve as a bridge between researchers and resilience practitioners to ensure that the USGCRP research agenda is aligned with U.S. hazard mitigation and climate adaptation priorities drive national action through climate change data and science.  DHS will continue to share evidence and best practices with the American people and partners across the Nation to promote change at all levels of government and in the private sector.

An informed nation is a resilient nation, and a prepared nation is a safe nation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working to inform the American people about climate-related risks, including extreme heat, flooding, wildfire, and drought, and to provide them with clear information about how to reduce those risks. Emergency response is also a DHS priority and key mission. The Department seeks not only to respond to disasters, but also to empower American communities to prevent them before they occur. 

 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), comprise DHS’s participation in USGCRP.

 The changing climate brings more intense storms, floods, droughts, and temperatures to places that historically experience these events, and poses new threats to communities across the nation. FEMA is supporting community climate action through risk information, preparedness, hazard mitigation, response and recovery, grants, and field operations. FEMA programs help communities understand the climate and hazard related risks they face, assess their greatest vulnerabilities, and plan for critical preparedness and adaptation measures. The goal is to reduce vulnerability and support safer, more climate-resilient communities. FEMA will leverage the expertise of our federal partners and the research from USGCRP by incorporating climate data into emergency management programs, grants, and decision-making tools to advance resilience.

 The S&T Directorate is an essential component of the Nation’s efforts to address global challenges, particularly those related to climate change. Established in 2003 as the science lead and primary research and development arm of DHS, the S&T Directorate focuses on enhancing resilience and safeguarding infrastructure against the impactful threats of climate change. As part of its mission, DHS S&T collaborates with various federal agencies, including USGCRP, to better leverage scientific advancements in technology and research that support homeland security objectives and contribute to the global fight against climate change. DHS S&T is committed to enhancing resilience, safeguarding infrastructure, innovating climate technologies, supporting disaster response and recovery, as well as mitigating the impacts of global change on the Nation’s security.

S&T’s role, as DHS’s scientific representation to USGCRP, involves bridging the gap between scientific research and practical applications for homeland security. Through ongoing collaboration, DHS S&T gains access to cutting-edge climate science and data, allowing the development of technology-driven solutions to tackle climate-related challenges. The Directorate focuses on enhancing resilience by investing in climate adaptation strategies, vulnerability analysis, and risk assessments. Additionally, DHS S&T supports disaster response and recovery efforts by analyzing climate data to improve preparedness and coordination during climate-induced disasters.