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John,
Temperatures all over the globe continue to rise. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, droughts, and cataclysmic fires are occurring with increased frequency and intensity. Access to edible food and potable water has become more uncertain for some populations, the sea level is rising, and economies are disrupted all over the world.
Collective action to prevent even worse catastrophes in the future is essential, but in the meantime we must also cope with the disasters that are already here.
This year marks a new annual record for the number of disasters costing over $1 billion in a single year, with $57.6 billion in disaster funds spent and the loss of 253 lives so far. Last year’s total costs for environmental disasters came to $162 billion.
Unaffordable private hazard insurance is contributing to the increasing costs of purchasing a home, along with decreasing property values in disaster-prone areas. Our system of federal disaster relief is overwhelmed, in need of complete overhaul.
Sign the petition: We need a reformed disaster relief system for declaring natural disasters and distributing federal aid.
Congress must take action now. Bringing disaster policy programs together to consolidate preparation and response would improve Americans’ ability to cope with disasters before, during, and afterward. Government responses can be better coordinated and costs better managed.
The climate crisis is not going anywhere. It has roared into our consciousness and now we must be prepared to protect the American people and ensure help is on its way where, when, and how it is needed most.
Sign the petition: We need a reformed system to declare natural disasters and to distribute federal aid when it’s needed.
Thank you for helping to keep the climate crisis on our policymakers’ front burners.
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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