FEMA Strikes the Words 'Climate Change' From its Strategic Plan

Coming off a year of historically catastrophic extreme weather, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has decided to avoid using the "double C word."

1 minute read

March 20, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Flood Damaged Suburb

michelmond / Shutterstock

Umair Irfan reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's strategic plan for the years 2018 to 2022 does not include any reference to climate change.

The strategic plan instead uses tortured semantics while projecting more frequent and more expensive disasters in the coning years. "Disaster costs are expected to continue to increase due to rising natural hazard risk, decaying critical infrastructure, and economic pressures that limit investments in risk resilience,” according to the document."

Irfan places the decision to elide climate change from FEMA's strategic plan in the context of the megadisasters of 2017. Irfain says hurricanes, heat waves, wildfires, and tornadoe cost "at least" $306 billion in 2017.

The move is the latest Trump Administration controversy to follow from perhaps troubling choices of words. The FEMA strategic plan news follows shortly after news that the Department of Housing and Urban Development was planning to remove references to discrimination in its mission statement.  

Friday, March 16, 2018 in Vox

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog