The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joined the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) earlier this month.
Homeland Security Secretary 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. The Department of Homeland Security membership on the USGCRP is part of that critical effort and supports our enduring mission to safeguard the homeland.”
According to a news release, DHS is the 14th member of the USGCRP. The department said this development marks an exciting and important milestone for DHS, which says it will be able to draw on research from partner agencies in order to bolster its own resilience against global challenges such as climate change.
This partnership with USGCRP is an integral part of DHS's mission, the release said, as it allows the department to take a proactive stance in terms of responding to the changing environment. This membership also gives DHS access to a wide range of scientific research, allowing it to stay informed about emerging issues and be better prepared for any potential risks.
Furthermore, this partnership opens opportunities for collaboration among all agencies involved in USGCRP, helping them work more effectively toward a common goal.
Beginning in 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will take over as the representative of DHS for the USGCRP for a two-year period.
During this time, FEMA will work with other DHS entities such as the Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Coast Guard, and Customs and Border Protection to provide input on climate change research initiatives that align with its 2022-2026 strategic plan objectives.
USGCRP was established in 1989 by a presidential initiative and later mandated by Congress to form a comprehensive research program focused on better understanding global changes and how these changes can be addressed.
The program coordinates and directs the efforts of 13 federal departments and agencies, with the primary goal of providing evidence-based scientific research and analysis to inform decision-makers at all levels of government.
