NASA Releases Updated Climate Change Adaptation, Resilience Plan

NASA Releases Updated Climate Change Adaptation, Resilience Plan

NASA, in collaboration with over 20 federal agencies, has released an updated Climate Adaptation Plan as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to enhance resilience against the impacts of climate change. This updated plan supports the National Climate Resilience Framework, aiming to align climate resilience investments across public and private sectors.

Key Contributions and Initiatives

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of NASA’s decades of Earth observation in building climate resilience and sustainability. NASA's extensive data from satellites and other research assets are instrumental in understanding the climate system and informing public awareness about climate change.

The updated plan involves proactive measures to ensure that climate change impacts, such as coastal flooding and extreme weather events, do not hinder NASA's mission. This includes improving climate hazard analyses and developing strategies to protect key resources and facilities.

Federal Leadership in Climate Resilience

Brenda Mallory, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, highlighted President Biden's commitment to building climate resilience through record resources and an all-of-government approach. The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering over $50 billion to help communities enhance their resilience and protect vulnerable populations.

President Biden's Executive Order 14008, issued at the beginning of his administration, tasked federal agencies with addressing climate change through a whole-of-government effort. This directive comes in response to the increasing severity of climate-related disasters, which caused over $90 billion in damages last year alone.

Progress and Future Goals

NASA released its initial Climate Adaptation Plan in 2021 and has since provided progress reports on achieving its adaptation goals. The updated plans for 2024 to 2027 aim to integrate climate risk across all aspects of NASA's mission, operations, and asset management. Key updates include:

• Assessing Climate-Related Hazards: Combining historical data and projections to evaluate exposure to extreme heat, precipitation, sea level rise, flooding, and wildfires.
• Managing Climate Risk: Expanding the focus on facilities and supply chains to include federal employees and federal lands and waters.
• Mainstreaming Adaptation: Incorporating climate adaptation into agency policies, programs, planning, and budget formulation.
• Linking Climate Actions: Connecting adaptation efforts with environmental justice, the Justice40 Initiative, engagement with Tribal Nations, and nature-based solutions.
• Adopting Progress Indicators: Establishing common progress indicators to assess agency climate adaptation efforts.

Conclusion

NASA's updated Climate Adaptation Plan represents a significant step in strengthening climate resilience and ensuring preparedness for future climate change impacts. By leveraging its Earth observation capabilities and aligning with broader federal initiatives, NASA continues to play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis and building a more resilient future.

 NASA, along with over 20 federal agencies, released an updated Climate Adaptation Plan to strengthen resilience against climate change impacts. This aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Climate Resilience Framework. NASA's decades of Earth observation are crucial for building climate resilience and sustainability globally. The plan includes improved climate hazard analyses and protective measures for key resources and facilities. President Biden's Executive Order 14008 emphasizes a whole-of-government approach to tackling the climate crisis, with NASA playing a key role in adaptation and resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of NASA's updated Climate Adaptation Plan?

   • The purpose is to strengthen climate resilience and ensure preparedness for climate change impacts, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Climate Resilience Framework.

2. How does NASA contribute to climate resilience?

   • NASA provides crucial data from its satellites and research on the climate system, helping build climate resiliency and sustainability. It also informs the public about climate change.

3. What specific actions will NASA take to address climate change impacts?

   • NASA will improve climate hazard analyses and develop plans to protect key resources and facilities from coastal flooding, extreme weather events, and other climate change impacts.

4. What are some broader goals of the Biden-Harris Administration related to climate resilience?

   • The administration aims to build climate resilience across the country, deliver resources to communities, and integrate climate risk into federal policies, programs, and operations.

5. How will NASA’s updated plan integrate with other government initiatives?

   • The plan will link climate adaptation actions with other administration priorities, such as advancing environmental justice, supporting the Justice40 Initiative, engaging with Tribal Nations, and scaling up nature-based solutions.

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