Climate Essentials for 

Emergency Managers 

July 2023 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Table of Contents 

Overview.................................................................................................................................... 2 

Climate Change Affects Each Phase of the Disaster Lifecycle. ................................................ 4 

FEMA’s Role in Climate Resilience ........................................................................................... 5 

Essential Climate Change Concepts ......................................................................................... 6 

Climate and Equity .................................................................................................................. 10 

Communicating Climate Change ............................................................................................ 12 

Resources ............................................................................................................................... 14 

Glossary................................................................................................................................... 19 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Overview 

Climate change is a defining crisis of our time. From extreme heat, drought and wildfires to more 

severe coastal storms and inland flooding, the consequences of climate change are all around us. 

The emergency management community is challenged by more severe, frequent, widespread and 

costly disasters. From 1980 to 2022 there were, on average, 7.9 disasters per year in which 

damages reached at least one billion dollars. Within the last five years, there was an annual average 

of 17.8 of these “billion-dollar disasters”1 , 2 (NOAA, 2022 U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate 

disasters in historical context). See Figures 1 and 2 below, respectively. 

Figure 1. In 2022, the United States experienced 18 separate weather and climate-driven disasters2 

that each resulted in at least $1 billion in damages. NOAA map by NCEI. 

1 These statistics are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/2022-

us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical-context 

2 Note: Not all identified disasters were Stafford Act declarations. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Figure 2. Month-by-month accumulation of billion-dollar disasters for each year on record. The 

colored lines represent the top 6 years for most billion-dollar disasters3 . All other years are colored 

light gray. NOAA image by NCEI. 

To better manage these threats, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is committed 

to enhancing the nation's capability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to future climate conditions. 

This starts with taking initial steps to advance climate literacy across FEMA and the wider emergency 

management community, and to foster a common understanding of how climate change impacts 

emergency management. 

Increasing climate literacy 

Goal 2 of the 2022–2026 FEMA Strategic Plan is to “Lead Whole of Community in Climate 

Resilience.” Objective 2.1 is to “increase climate literacy among the emergency management 

community.” Increasing climate literacy of emergency managers and communities will improve 

disaster outcomes and long-term climate resilience through a shared understanding of climate 

risks, terminology, and impactful mitigation opportunities. 

This document offers foundational learning opportunities for the emergency management 

community and beyond. By sharing communication techniques, climate information, data resources 

and guidance for connecting with experts, this resource helps advance the integration of climate 

change considerations into actionable efforts before, during, and after disasters. 

3 Note: Not all identified disasters were Stafford Act declarations. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Climate Change Affects Each Phase 

of the Disaster Lifecycle 

Hazard Mitigation 

Traditionally, preparedness and hazard mitigation activities 

have relied on historical data to determine which hazards 

are most relevant and their probabilities of occurring at a 

given location. As the climate changes, historical data is no 

longer sufficient for communities to evaluate current and 

future risks. A warmer atmosphere and warmer ocean 

waters have wide-ranging impacts on regional climate, 

including lengthening wildfire seasons, increasing 

vulnerability to drought, driving more intense rainfall events 

and accelerating relative sea level rise. Effective hazard 

mitigation and community planning requires adaptation 

approaches that account for future conditions to help 

reduce risk systematically. 

Preparedness 

In addition to driving increased frequency and severity of natural hazards, climate change is shifting 

the geographic areas affected by certain types of natural hazards. This means in addition to 

preparing for more frequent and more severe hazards, communities may need to prepare for new 

hazards that they have not historically experienced. Communities must routinely reevaluate the risks 

they face and appropriately update their hazard mitigation and preparedness plans for all natural 

and human-caused threats. 

Response 

Climate change is lengthening many natural hazard seasons compared to historical patterns. 

Emergency management operations will continue shifting from seasonal to year-round as the 

frequency and severity of various disaster types increase. With increasingly frequent, intense and 

unpredictable disasters, multiple overlapping disasters may impact a single location, complicating 

response and recovery efforts. In partnership with state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency 

managers, the emergency management community continue to improve their ability to respond to 

both gradually unfolding hazards and to multiple simultaneous disasters. This may require new, 

critical considerations for response such as quantifying the impacts from climate-related incidents 

and how to potentially adapt federal requirements to support expanded emergency response. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Recovery 

Recovery operations for multiple or cascading events may overlap and diminish available resources, 

extend timelines, and raise costs. Communities should incorporate hazard mitigation and adaptation 

measures into pre- and post-disaster recovery planning and investments to address current and 

future impacts. Enforcing floodplain management and land use regulations in concert with adopting 

and enforcing hazard-resistant building codes and standards can reduce future risk and help ensure 

a sustainable recovery. Where possible, communities should consider other climate resilient 

solutions such as: 

▪ Integrating nature-based solutions or other adaptation strategies;

▪ Promoting sustainable community development—including implementation and enforcement of

local floodplain management programs and disaster resilient building codes and standards into

recovery plans;

▪ Leveraging hazard insurance, such as flood or earthquake insurance, to cover residual risk;

▪ Considering community-driven relocation in places where risk cannot be sufficiently mitigated;

and

▪ Using low carbon construction materials and low-carbon or net-zero energy projects when

rebuilding.

Advancing the Inflation Reduction Act 

On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was signed into law, marking a historic 

commitment to building a new clean energy economy and tackling the climate crisis. The act 

authorizes FEMA to fund costs associated with low-carbon materials, even when the costs are 

higher than those for conventional materials, to reduce carbon pollution and build back more 

resilient. 

After receiving this new authority, FEMA announced it will make grant funds available to 

communities for low-carbon materials used in disaster recovery and climate resilience projects. 

States, tribes, territories and local communities will now have more access to low-carbon 

building materials through eligible FEMA programs to rebuild from disasters and become more 

resilient to climate change. 

Emergency Management’s Role 

in Climate Resilience 

The impacts of a changing climate are being felt today in communities across the country and are 

increasingly testing our resilience. The emergency management community would benefit from 

having general knowledge of Earth’s climate, the impacts of climate change and the benefits of

climate mitigation and adaptation approaches so they can operationalize this information. This 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

further helps emergency managers support communities and survivors prepare for and thrive in 

future climate conditions. 

The emergency management community must 

work to confront the demands of climate change to 

enhance the nation’s ability to anticipate, prepare

for, and adapt to future conditions. This requires 

the emergency management community to 

address climate change before, during and after 

disasters. 

Before declared disasters emergency managers 

work with—and invest in—communities to build 

resilience so they can withstand the climate 

hazards of today and those we can anticipate for 

tomorrow. 

During declared disasters, emergency managers support state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT)-led 

efforts to address life-saving and life-sustaining needs resulting from natural hazards and the 

cascading effects of climate change on community lifelines. 

After declared disasters, emergency managers provide information and funding to help federal, 

state, local, tribal and territorial governments strategically invest in building back to increase climate 

resilience. 

FEMA promotes climate resilience 

A comprehensive explanation of FEMA programs advancing climate change can be found in the 

FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience. 

Essential Climate Change Concepts 

This section helps answer key questions to help advance the climate literacy of the emergency 

management community so they can more effectively address climate risk alongside one another 

and with the public. Knowing the meaning of the following concepts, and having uniform meanings, 

will help the emergency management community to understand how climate change reshapes 

emergency management and the communities we serve. Knowing how our climate is changing will 

help our nation best adapt and become better prepared and more resilient. We need to apply climate 

science and data from our partners, such as city planners, public health officials and more to better 

help people before, during and after disasters. The emergency management community can use 

climate knowledge to communicate with partners more effectively about future risks and solutions. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Greater climate literacy will also empower partners to make risk-informed decisions to adapt to 

future climate conditions. 

What is the difference between weather and climate? 

Although weather and climate are related, they are not the same. The National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a saying, “Climate is what to expect, weather is what you

get.”

Weather is what people experience 

when they step outside on any given 

day and is a result of the state of the 

atmosphere at a particular location 

over the short term. In short, 

weather is the short-term 

atmospheric conditions at a given 

location on a specific day and time. 

Across the globe, observers and 

automated stations measure hourly 

or daily weather conditions at 

thousands of locations. Over time, 

these weather observations allow us 

to quantify long-term average 

conditions, which provide insight 

into an area’s climate.

Climate is usually described as the long-term average weather at a given place, but it also means the 

range of weather conditions that are possible at a given place, including the types and historical 

frequency of extreme events that occur there. 

For more information, visit What’s the difference between weather and climate? 

What is the difference between global warming and 

climate change? Why are they happening? 

Both phrases can have slightly different meanings in different contexts, but these days, global 

warming generally refers to the long-term increase in global average temperature as a result of 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

human activity. Climate change is a much broader term that covers changes in 

multiple parts of the climate system, from temperature to precipitation to wind 

patterns. Climate change can be local, regional or global, and it can have 

natural or human causes. Global warming is a type of climate change; however, 

not all climate change is global warming” (Global warming frequently asked 

questions). 

Throughout time, Earth’s climate has varied due to natural causes. When the 

term climate change is used today, it refers to the global warming observed 

since the mid-20th century and the climatic changes caused by that warming 

(NASA, The Causes of Climate Change and Global Climate Change Frequently 

Asked Questions). Global warming and climate change are caused primarily by 

human industrial activity (NASA, The Causes of Climate Change). 

Through industrial activity, humans have emitted a substantial amount of 

greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases play a major role in the climate because 

they trap the sun’s heat and warm the planet (NASA, The Causes of Climate 

Change). 

In addition, humans have often developed land, resources and infrastructure in ways that are 

unsustainable. While not always intentional, this has disrupted ecosystems and naturally occurring 

processes. These practices are sometimes necessary and positive in the short-term but can also 

have damaging long-term consequences that decrease our resilience. 

Learn more on the warming of the Earth at NOAA’s Global warming frequently asked questions and 

the science behind climate change at NASA Causes of Climate Change. 

What is the difference between hazard mitigation, 

climate mitigation and climate adaptation? 

Climate mitigation, hazard mitigation and climate adaption all involve changing human behaviors 

and the natural and built environment to cope with and reduce the effects of climate change and 

other hazards. While the emergency management community often shortens the phrase “hazard

mitigation” to “mitigation,” in the climate discipline “mitigation” refers to reducing greenhouse gas 

emissions. 

Understanding the difference between hazard mitigation, climate mitigation and 

climate adaptation is critical to communicating about climate change. 

▪ Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to 

people and property from natural hazard events and their effects 

▪ Climate mitigation is reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and levels in the atmosphere to 

reduce the severity of human-caused climate change. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

▪ [Climate] adaptation is adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing 

environment that takes advantage of beneficial opportunities or moderates negative effects. 

Hazard mitigation efforts often also serve to improve climate adaptation. Both have the same goals: 

long-term risk reduction for people, increased safety for communities and enhanced community 

resilience. The key difference between hazard mitigation and adaptation is that hazard mitigation 

encompasses all natural hazards, including short-term, episodic events that may or may not be 

connected to climate change. Climate adaptation efforts are focused on mitigating risk and impacts 

from current or expected climate conditions, so adapting to the expected impacts of climate change 

is a form of hazard mitigation. A hazard mitigation activity that addresses climate change in its 

design and approach can help reduce a community’s risk from current and future climate events

(FEMA, Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide, March 2023). 

Examples of strategies contributing to hazard mitigation and climate adaptation include but are not 

limited to: 

▪ Promoting nature-based solutions; 

▪ Conservation of wetlands, restoring floodplains, and preservation of open space; 

▪ Using resilient infrastructure design and adopting and enforcing floodplain management 

regulations and disaster resilient building codes and standards; 

▪ Incorporating future conditions data into community planning; and 

▪ Using low carbon construction materials and low-carbon or net-zero energy projects when 

rebuilding. 

Find more examples in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Strategies for Climate Change 

Adaptation. 

Hazard mitigation and climate adaptation help communities reduce the risk of damage caused by 

natural disasters. They can also shorten recovery time by increasing community resilience and 

preparedness for current and future hazards. Both hazard mitigation and climate adaptation are 

essential because the effects of climate change are happening now and expected to worsen (NASA, 

The Effects of Climate Change). 

Addressing future risk through hazard mitigation planning 

In April 2022, the National Mitigation Planning Program released the next generation of the 

State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide and, in 

Spanish, the Guía de políticas de planificación de mitigación a nivel local. The policies 

reinforce resilience as a Whole Community effort. 

State, local and territorial hazard mitigation plans must address current and future risks, 

including those from climate change, land use and population change. The policies seek to 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

integrate mitigation planning with other complementary activities, such as climate adaptation, 

resilience and sustainability planning. These efforts build state and local capabilities and help 

jurisdictions plan for long-term risk reduction, climate change and more-equitable outcomes. 

Are individual extreme events caused by climate change? 

Scientific research indicates that climate change may contribute to more extreme and frequent 

weather events. According to NOAA: 

“To date, climate research has yet to show that any given event was caused solely by global 

warming. However, over the past decade, research has demonstrated that climate change 

due to global warming has made many extreme events more likely, more intense, longer 

lasting, or larger in scale than they would have been without it. For many of the events that 

have been studied, global warming has been identified as the primary driver of the event, not 

just a supporting player. And a number of recent studies have concluded that certain heatrelated extreme events would not have been possible without human-caused global warming 

(Global warming frequently asked questions).”

A quickly developing field known as “extreme event attribution” or “climate change attribution 

studies” focuses on the ways climate change has made a specific weather event more severe or 

likely to occur. This field of scientific research aims to understand the causes and drivers of changes 

in the Earth’s climate system, particularly regarding human influences on the climate. 

Learn more about extreme event attribution from NOAA here. 

Climate and Equity 

Climate change and equity are interconnected. 

Although the natural environment and all its 

inhabitants, regardless of socioeconomic status, are 

affected by the impacts of climate change, the most 

severe harm from climate change disproportionately 

impacts underserved, disadvantaged and 

marginalized communities. These are often frontline 

communities, which are more likely to be impacted by 

disasters and other climate change impacts due to 

systematically racist practices, such as historical 

redlining. 

Additionally, many of the communities most at risk to 

climate change impacts are those who contributed 

the least to causing it, making it a justice issue as 

well. These communities often have limited access to political power and limited influence on 

decisions that affect them, their economy, and local government services. Disasters can worsen 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

inequities that are already present in society, leading to greater risks and vulnerabilities, including 

greater poverty and declines in community and individual health. These inequities can reduce the 

availability of resources for preparation, emergency evacuation or long-term relocation, hazard 

mitigation, response and recovery. 

Underserved and disadvantaged communities 

Examples of underserved and disadvantaged communities include, but are not limited to: 

Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific 

Islanders, and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, 

transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural 

areas; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; persons with 

limited English proficiency, children, pregnant women, older adults, vulnerable occupational 

groups; persons with access and functional needs; and persons with preexisting or chronic 

medical conditions (The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A 

Scientific Assessment and Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for 

Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government ). 

Underserved and disadvantaged communities are especially vulnerable to climate change effects on 

human health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the effects of 

climate change on human health include “increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease, injuries

and premature deaths related to extreme weather events, changes in the prevalence and 

geographical distribution of food- and water-borne illnesses and other infectious diseases, and 

threats to mental health”. In underserved and disadvantaged communities, where preparation and 

resources are limited, these effects are felt more severely and have a larger impact. 

The emergency management community can make more equitable environmental justice-based 

decisions by targeting resources and grants to the underserved and integrating environmental 

justice into communications and directives. Emergency managers can also collaborate with 

historically underserved communities to ensure their perspectives and knowledge are included in 

adaptation planning and decision making. 

Emergency managers should prioritize supporting at-risk communities and aiming for equitable 

outcomes, consistent with applicable law. Emergency managers can lead Whole Community efforts 

by working with partners to reduce the vulnerability of underserved and disadvantaged communities 

by incorporating environmental justice into all emergency management activities. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Be mindful of how underserved and disadvantaged communities are portrayed. 

The United Nations states “Poorer countries and underserved communities, including 

indigenous peoples who have protected the environment for generations, are often portrayed 

solely as victims of climate change, rather than positive agents of change. The same is often 

the case for women and girls. Make sure to highlight the voices, expertise, innovations, positive 

action, and solutions by people from all walks of life and communities from all parts of the 

world.”

Communicating Climate Change 

No matter the topic, it is always a best practice for the emergency management community to be 

aware and considerate of their audience. Climate change is no different. Discussions around climate 

change causes and impacts can produce diverse reactions. It is important to ensure that information 

is based on widely accepted science, that statements avoid political agendas and that discussions 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

emphasize concrete actions to minimize climate change impacts. Building risk awareness and 

encouraging the Whole Community, through individual efforts or collectively, to proactively decrease 

climate risk exposure is essential. Below are some best practices for connecting with and 

communicating climate change with diverse 

audiences: 

▪ Use terms that resonate with your target 

audience and find common ground or shared 

values. Observed changes can be an 

opportunity to discuss tangible actions. Has it 

become drier, wetter or hotter? Use this 

shared experience and work to find mutual 

solutions to reduce and adapt to future risks. 

▪ Avoid stereotypes. Members of the Whole 

Community, of all capacities, capabilities and 

beliefs, are encouraged to take action against 

climate change. 

▪ Do not focus only on the problem—highlight solutions. Be sure to convey opportunities and a 

positive outlook. Highlight ongoing efforts and solutions that can instill hope. Get your audience 

excited about a climate resilient nation and let them know they have the power to be a 

changemaker. 

▪ Leverage the power of story. Data should only be presented when woven within the context of an 

engaging story. Without a locally relevant story, focusing too much on the data may cause people 

to retreat from the conversation. Stories can make climate change more relatable and help forge 

an emotional connection to the issue. 

▪ Create feedback loops with trusted partners to gain additional perspective and help inform 

potential solutions. Identify community unifiers who can help carry your message. 

▪ When communicating or referencing climate science ensure that you are using peer reviewed or 

authoritative sources, such as the National Climate Assessment. 

Building Partnerships 

When someone asks a climate-related question that goes 

beyond your expertise, think partnership! Direct them to the 

appropriate resource or partner. That might be a colleague, an 

external climate expert or one of the scientific agencies within 

SLTT governments. Additionally, the emergency management 

community is encouraged to establish and foster relationships 

with the climate community to collectively work towards a 

climate-resilient nation. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Regional and locally focused centers across the nation are available to help you build resilience to 

climate-related changes and impacts in your community. The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Find 

Experts tool can help you identify the best point of contact. Additionally, FEMA’s Resilient Nation 

Partnership Network provides an opportunity to build Whole Community partnerships to advance 

natural hazard mitigation and climate adaptation. Learn how partners are coming together Building 

Alliances for Climate Action. 

Everyone does not need to be a climate expert. The emergency management community has the 

ability to connect our partners and stakeholders with resources. In the following pages, we include a 

recommended list of resources and programs that can help. 

Contact the FEMA-Resilience Climate Team at FEMA-ClimateAdaptation@fema.dhs.gov with 

additional questions. 

Resources 

Consider looking at these resources from FEMA and partners as you advance climate actions. 

Resources cited in this section are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended 

to be an endorsement of any non-federal entity by FEMA, U.S. Department of Homeland Security or 

the U.S. Government. 

Federal Regional Climate Science Organizations 

Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP)/Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) 

(NOAA): The CAP/RISA program is an applied research and engagement program that expands 

society’s regional capacity to adapt to climate impacts in the U.S. It supports sustained, collaborative 

relationships that help communities build lasting and equitable climate resilience through teams of 

research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and state/local/Tribal governments in multi-state 

regions. 

Climate Adaptation Science Centers (U.S. Geological Survey): The USGS National and Regional 

Climate Adaptation Science Centers connect scientists with natural and cultural resource managers 

and local communities to help fish, wildlife, water, land and people adapt to a changing climate. 

Climate Hubs (U.S. Department of Agriculture): The mission of the Climate Hubs is to develop and 

deliver science-based, region-specific information and technologies, with USDA agencies and 

partners, to agricultural and natural resource managers that enable climate-informed decisionmaking, and to provide access to assistance to implement those decisions. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Climate Resilience Toolkit Find Experts Tool (NOAA): Regional and locally focused centers across the 

nation are available to help build resilience to climate-related changes and impacts in your 

community. The tool can help identify the best point of contact. 

National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI/NOAA): NCEI is 

the nation’s leading authority for environmental data. It manages one 

of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical and 

oceanic research in the world. Their stewardship practices maximize 

NOAA’s investment in environmental research, converting scientific 

insights into dynamic, usable information that inform strategy and 

decision making in government, academia, and the private 

sector. NCEI also manages the Regional Climate Center Program, 

which provides climate services to six regions encompassing the 

United States. 

Climate Data and Hazard Mapping Applications 

Climate Risk and Resilience Portal (ClimRR) (Center for Climate Resilience and Decision 

Science/FEMA): ClimRR is a public/private partnership that represents the newest developing 

climate science modeling. It empowers individuals, governments, and organizations to examine 

simulated future conditions at mid- and end-of-century for a range of climate perils. Additional 

hazards will be added over the next year. The ClimRR Data Explorer allows users to view more than 

100 different climate visualizations in an interactive map and the ClimRR Report Generator provides 

users with a snapshot of climate projections at a chosen point on a map. 

Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) (USGCRP/NOAA): CMRA aggregates currently 

available federal datasets to create a climate risk information tool and includes grant finance 

opportunities. This tool is a community-focused, user-friendly model that provides high level trend 

information for state, local, tribal and territorial communities. It allows viewing maps to see where 

climate-related hazards are occurring in real-time. 

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit (USGCRP/NOAA): The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit is a website to 

help people find and use tools, information, and subject-matter expertise to build climate resilience. 

It offers information from across the U.S. Federal Government in one location. 

FEMA Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT): The RAPT is a powerful GIS planning tool to 

inform strategies for emergency management. RAPT includes more than 100 preloaded layers 

including FEMA’s Community Resilience Index, Census demographic data, infrastructure, live 

weather, hazards and NOAA sea level rise projections, and will incorporate ClimRR future conditions 

data this year. 

Google Earth Engine: Google Earth Engine combines a multi-petabyte catalog of satellite imagery and 

geospatial datasets with planetary-scale analysis capabilities. Scientists, researchers and developers 

use Earth Engine to detect changes, map trends, and quantify differences on the Earth's surface. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

GIS for Climate (Esri): From collecting data in the field, to managing, mapping and analyzing the data, 

or sharing it for everyone to use with cutting-edge web services or no-code applications, GIS can 

support any part of assessing potential climate impacts and developing solutions using location 

intelligence. The GIS for Climate Hub provides a variety of resources to get you started in climate 

analysis or help develop more advanced workflows. 

National Risk Index for Natural Hazards (FEMA): The National Risk Index is an online mapping 

application from FEMA that identifies communities’ current and historic risk to 18 natural hazards. 

This application visualizes natural hazards risk metrics and includes data about expected annual 

losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience. 

Climate Training 

FEMA’s National Training and Education Division, through partnerships with the University of 

Hawaii’s National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, Columbia University’s Climate School, and

the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute is developing training courses to build climate 

literacy and help students operationalize climate science and data to reduce risk and build more 

resilient communities. Several climate-related courses, including Climate Adaptation Planning for 

Emergency Management, Nature-Based Solutions for Mitigating Hazards, and Coastal Hazard and 

Vulnerability Assessment Tools, can be found by searching FEMA’s National Preparedness Course 

Catalog at https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/npccatalog. 

Climate Partnership Resources and Opportunities 

FEMA Resilient Nation Partnership Network (FEMA): The Resilient Nation Partnership Network is a 

diverse network of voices united in their commitment to help communities act and become more 

resilient toward natural disasters and climate-related events with representation from over 1,500 

organizations. The Network is driven by three central priorities which influences the work, 

partnerships, programming, and strategic goals: (1) promoting natural hazard mitigation and climate 

adaptation actions; (2) advancing equitable resilience initiatives; (3) expanding capacity through 

partnerships. 

FEMA Building Alliances for Climate Action (FEMA): Powered by partnership, this resource is the 

result of collaboration by 36 partners across the field of climate resilience. Through it, the Resilient 

Nation Partnership Network and partners seek to inspire the Whole Community to take action and 

address climate change as part of their day-to-day activities. In it you will find guidance, perspectives, 

personal stories, resources and more. 

Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience (Bureau of Indian Affairs): The mission of the Branch of Tribal 

Climate Resilience is to enable climate preparedness and resilience across all Indian Affairs 

programs and for all Federally Recognized Tribal Nations and Alaska Native villages through 

technical and financial assistance, access to scientific resources and educational opportunities. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Climate Change (US National Park Service): The National Park Service details a comprehensive 

strategy to understanding the science behind and adapting to climate change, while preserving 

national parks and restoring ecosystems. 

Climate Literacy 

Climate Change Glossary (USGCRP): A compilation of climate terms and definitions provided by the 

US Global Change Research Program. 

Climate Change Resource Center (USDA/USFS): The US Forestry Service’s Climate Change Resource 

Center is a web-based national platform that connects land managers and decision makers with 

useable science to address climate change in natural resources planning and management. Current 

and expected climate changes have serious implications for ecosystems and the benefits they 

provide. 

Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) (USGCRP): NCA4 Volume II, draws on the foundational 

science described in Volume I, the Climate Science Special Report. Volume II focuses on the human 

welfare, societal and environmental elements of climate change and variability for 10 regions and 18 

national topics. *Note, the Fifth National Climate Assessment is expected to be released in fall 

2023. 

Fourth National Climate Assessment Frequently Asked Questions (USGCRP): A compilation of FAQs 

updated from the Third National Climate Assessment and emerging scientific inquiry. The US Global 

Change Research Program bases answers on assessments, peer-reviewed literature, and 

consultation with experts. *Note, the Fifth National Climate Assessment is expected to be released 

in fall 2023. 

Global Warming FAQ (NOAA): Frequently asked questions about climate change and climate science 

prepared by NOAA. 

Sixth Assessment Report - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: As the international body for 

assessing science related to climate change, the IPCC reports the assessments of hundreds of 

leading experts in climate change research. The Sixth Assessment Report illustrates the 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) most recent findings. 

The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment 

(USGCRP): The USGCRP’s assessment of how climate change affects human health, with

consideration to factors such as air quality, temperature changes, extreme events, illness and 

disease. 

Understand Climate Change (USGCRP): The USGCRP provides an overview of climate change, why it 

is happening, its impacts on society, and possible responses. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Equity 

Building Alliances for Equitable Resilience (FEMA): Powered by partnership, this resource is the result 

of collaboration by 26 partners in the fields of equity and resilience. Through it, the Resilient Nation 

Partnership Network and partners seek to inspire the Whole Community to make equitable and 

resilient practices part of their day-to-day activities. In it you will find guidance, perspectives, 

personal stories, resources and more. 

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) (Council on Environmental Quality): This tool is 

being developed by the Council on Environmental Quality per Presidential directive. The purpose of 

the tool is to help Federal agencies identify disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, 

underserved, and overburdened by pollution. The current version of the tool provides socioeconomic, 

environmental, and climate information to inform decisions that may affect these communities. The 

tool identifies disadvantaged communities through publicly available, nationally consistent datasets. 

EJScreen (EPA): To better meet the EPA’s responsibility to protect public health and the environment, 

they have developed a new environmental justice mapping and screening tool called EJSCREEN. It is 

based on national data and combines environmental and demographic indicators in maps and 

reports. 

Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation 

Guides to Expanding Mitigation (FEMA): The Guides to Expanding Mitigation are part of a series 

designed to highlight innovative and emerging partnerships for hazard mitigation. The booklets show 

how communities can better support hazard mitigation projects and planning by engaging other 

sectors. This supports FEMA's goal of building a culture of preparedness, which is part of the 

agency's strategic plan. 

Hazard Mitigation Planning (FEMA): FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Planning provides information on

planning, best practices, grants, regulations and more to minimize the impacts of disasters and 

break the cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction. 

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards (FEMA): The document provides a 

resource that communities can use to identify and evaluate a range of potential hazard mitigation 

actions for reducing risk to natural hazards and disasters. 

Hazard Mitigation Planning Program Resource List (FEMA): This fact sheet provides a list of 

resources to assist with every step of the hazard mitigation planning process. 

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide (FEMA): This guide provides helpful 

information for prospective applicants and sub-applicants from state, local, tribal and territorial 

governments on the application and grant processes for FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance grant 

programs. The guide includes detailed descriptions of the many different mitigation project types 

that communities can use to reduce risk from natural hazards in the face of changing climate 

conditions. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Mitigation Action Portfolio (FEMA): This document provides detailed examples of hazard mitigation 

activities that are eligible for funding under FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance programs. 

Adaptation Planning Tools (EPA): Environmental Protection Agency staff have developed tools to help 

communities anticipate, plan for and adapt to the changing climate. 

Adaptation Principles (The World Bank): An article on six ways to build resilience to climate change 

from the World Bank. 

Adaptation Workbook (USDA): The Adaptation Workbook, supported by the Department of Agriculture 

Climate Hubs, is a process to consider the potential effects of climate change, and design land 

management and conservation actions that help prepare for changing conditions. 

Continuity Resource Toolkit (FEMA): The Continuity Resource Toolkit provide partners from all levels 

of government, private and nonprofit sectors with tools, templates and resources to help 

organizations develop and maintain a successful continuity plan and program. 

Nature-Based Solutions (FEMA): FEMA’s Nature-Based Solutions website offers information, planning 

and funding resources, and more that promote sustainable planning, design, environmental 

management and engineering practices. 

State Adaptation Progress Tracker (Georgetown Climate Center): States and communities around the 

country are preparing for climate change. This planning process typically results in a document 

called an adaptation plan. The State Adaptation Progress Tracker includes a map highlighting the 

status of state adaptation efforts. 

Community Resilience Toolkit (US Department of Housing and Urban Development): The HUD 

Community Resilience Toolkit guides recipients of HUD Community Planning and Development (CPD) 

funds to identify ways to use their funds to mitigate natural hazards. 

Resources for Climate Resilience (FEMA): FEMA created this resource to serve as a roadmap of 

FEMA programs and to assist Whole Community partners in navigating the available resources to 

advance climate resilience and support communities in mitigating impacts of climate change. 

Long-term Community Resilience Exercise Resource Guide (FEMA): The Long-Term Community 

Resilience Exercise Resource Guide is a “one-stop–shop" for any jurisdiction or organization looking 

to conduct a climate-focused exercise. 

Glossary 

This is not an exhaustive list of every climate-relevant definition. For additional resources with 

climate definitions please refer to the National Climate Assessment, USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic 

Plan Glossary and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Glossary as authoritative 

sources. 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Adaptation: Adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment that takes 

advantage of beneficial opportunities or moderates negative effects (USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic 

Plan). 

Climate: Climate is determined by the long-term pattern of temperature and precipitation averages 

and extremes at a location (Climate.gov). 

Climate Change: A change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in the mean 

and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or 

longer. Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcings such as 

modulations of the solar cycles, volcanic eruptions, persistent human-driven changes in the 

composition of the atmosphere or in land use (USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic Plan). 

Climate Mitigation (“Mitigation” also “Greenhouse Gas Mitigation”): Measures to reduce the amount 

and speed of future climate change by reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases or removing 

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic Plan). 

Climate Projection: The simulated response of the climate system to a scenario of future emission or 

concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosols, generally derived using climate models. 

Climate projections are distinguished from climate predictions by their dependence on the 

emission/concentration/radiative forcing scenario used, which is in turn based on assumptions 

concerning, for example, future socioeconomic and technological developments that may or may not 

be realized (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Glossary). 

Community-driven relocation: A climate adaptation strategy for populations seeking to enhance 

resilience to climate-related hazards by relocating away from areas prone to repeated hazards. 

Unlike more commonly known terms such as “managed retreat”, “climate migration”, and “climateinduced relocation or resettlement” the term “community-driven relocation” intentionally emphasizes

the importance of the Whole Community being the driver of what is recognized as an incredibly 

complex and difficult process (FEMA*). 

*Note: FEMA, alongside interagency federal partners, is in the early stages of formalizing how to best 

support community-driven relocation efforts. As of the time of issuing this resource, no authoritative 

definition of community-driven relocation has been published. 

Disadvantaged Community: Agencies should consider appropriate data, indices, and screening tools 

to determine whether a specific community is disadvantaged based on a combination of variables 

that may include, but are not limited to the following: Low income, high and/or persistent poverty; 

High unemployment and underemployment; Racial and ethnic residential segregation, particularly 

where the segregation stems from discrimination by government entities; Linguistic isolation; High 

housing cost burden and substandard housing;r Distressed neighborhoods; High transportation cost 

burden and/or low transportation access; Disproportionate environmental stressor burden and high 

cumulative impacts; Limited water and sanitation access and affordability; Disproportionate impacts 

from climate change; High energy cost burden and low energy access; Jobs lost through the energy 

transition; Access to healthcare *See also underserved* (Executive Order 14008: Tackling the 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad; OMB Memo M-21-28: Interim Implementation Guidance for the 

Justice40 Initiative ). 

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that absorb heat in the atmosphere near the Earth's surface, preventing it 

from escaping into space. If the atmospheric concentrations of these gases rise, the average 

temperature of the lower atmosphere will gradually increase, a phenomenon known as the 

greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases include, for example, carbon dioxide, water vapor and 

methane (USGCRP Climate Change Glossary). 

Emissions Scenarios: Quantitative illustrations of how the release of different amounts of climate 

altering gases and particles into the atmosphere from human and natural sources will produce 

different future climate conditions. Scenarios are developed using a wide range of assumptions 

about population growth, economic and technological development, and other factors (USGCRP 

Climate Change Glossary). 

Environmental Justice: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of 

race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation and 

enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies (USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic Plan). 

Equity: Equity is the consistent and systematic fair, just and impartial treatment of all individuals, 

including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such 

treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans 

and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, 

bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in 

rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality (Executive 

Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the 

Federal Government; USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic Plan). 

Extreme Event: A weather event that is rare at a particular place and time of year, including, for 

example, heat waves, cold waves, heavy rains, periods of drought and flooding, and severe storms 

(USGCRP Climate Change Glossary). 

Frontline Community: Communities or populations that have experienced systemic socioeconomic 

disparities, environmental injustice, or another form of injustice and are highly vulnerable to and will 

experience disproportionately high adverse impacts from environmental and climate injustice and 

inequitable climate actions (USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic Plan). 

Future Conditions: Future Conditions refers to the changing risk of natural disasters due to climate 

change, population patterns, land use, and community development (FEMA). 

Global Warming: The observed increase in average temperature near the Earth’s surface and in the 

lowest layer of the atmosphere. In common usage, “global warming” often refers to the warming that

has occurred as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. Global 

warming is a type of climate change; it can also lead to other changes in climate conditions, such as 

changes in precipitation patterns (USGCRP Climate Change Glossary). 
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Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): Gases that absorb heat in the atmosphere near the Earth's surface, 

preventing it from escaping into space. If the atmospheric concentrations of these gases rise, the 

average temperature of the lower atmosphere will gradually increase, a phenomenon known as the 

greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases include, for example, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and 

methane (USGCRP Climate Change Glossary). 

Hazard Mitigation: Hazard mitigation is defined as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate 

long-term risk to people and property from natural hazard events and their effects (FEMA Hazard 

Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide) – see also 44 C.F.R. 201.2. 

Maladaptation: Actions that may lead to increased risk of adverse climate-related outcomes, 

including via increased GHG emissions, increased vulnerability to climate change, or diminished 

welfare, now or in the future. Maladaptation is usually an unintended consequence. 

(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Glossary). 

Natural Hazards: Source of harm or difficulty created by a meteorological, environmental, or 

geological phenomenon or combination of phenomena (FEMA National Mitigation Investment 

Strategy). 

Nature-Based Solutions: Sustainable planning, design, environmental management, and engineering 

practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation 

and resilience (FEMA Nature-Based Solutions). 

Resilience: The ability to prepare for anticipated hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and 

withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions due to emergencies (PPD-8: National Preparedness). 

Risk: Threats to life, health and safety, the environment, economic well-being and other things of 

value. Risks are often evaluated in terms of how likely they are to occur (probability) and the 

damages that would result if they did happen (consequences) (USGCRP 2022-2031 Strategic Plan). 

Underserved Communities: Underserved communities are defined in Executive Order 13985 as 

populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been 

systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social and civic life, as 

exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of ‘‘equity’’ (Executive Order 13985: Advancing 

Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government). 

Weather: The state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, 

pressure, etc. Weather refers to these conditions at a given point in time (NOAA National Weather 

Service Glossary). 

Whole Community: By working together, everyone can help keep the nation safe from harm and help 

keep it resilient when struck by hazards such as natural disasters, acts of terrorism and pandemics. 

Whole Community includes individuals and families, including those with access and functional 

needs; businesses; faith-based and community organizations; nonprofit groups; schools and 

academia; media outlets; all levels of government, including state, local, tribal, territorial and federal 

partners. (FEMA Glossary) 
Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers 

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