Bill Overview
Title: Climate RESILIENCE Act
Description: This bill makes changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to take into account climate change. The bill includes extreme temperature events, such as heat waves or freezes, within the scope of the act and defines resilience for purposes of disaster assistance and mitigation efforts. Federal and state preparedness and mitigation assistance may be used for reducing the impacts of extreme temperatures and improving air quality and mitigating against wildfire smoke.. The bill authorizes implementing predisaster hazard mitigation measures that will be cost-effective and equitable long-term and provide enhanced protection to the community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must (1) provide technical assistance to underserved and disadvantaged communities for such measures; and (2) provide guidance to implement the latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards that incorporate the latest hazard-resistant designs. The bill includes within the hazard mitigation program requirements the abatement of lead, mold, mildew, radon, asthma, and allergen triggers, or other pollutants and hazardous materials directly caused by a major disaster or emergency. FEMA must report to Congress regarding challenges posed by FEMA requirements for determining the cost-effectiveness of mitigation activities and how such requirements may disproportionately burden underserved or disadvantaged communities.
Sponsors: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by climate changes resulting in extreme events
Estimated Size: 130000000
- This bill impacts individuals who are living in areas susceptible to climate-related disasters, such as extreme temperatures and air quality issues resulting from wildfires.
- Populations that are already disadvantaged or underserved will be particularly affected as the bill includes specific measures to support these communities through technical assistance and guidance.
- Individuals living in communities requiring resilience against climate impacts like heatwaves, freezes, and hazardous air quality will be impacted as resources are directed towards these areas.
- The scope includes urban and rural populations who will benefit from measures to reduce asthma, lead, mold, and other pollutant exposures.
Reasoning
- The population impacted by the Climate RESILIENCE Act is diverse, as the bill addresses climate-related disasters across different regions in the U.S.
- Individuals from underserved and disadvantaged communities are prioritized, suggesting that many of the impacted persons might come from lower-income urban or rural areas.
- Given the focus on mitigation of environmental issues like extreme temperatures and poor air quality, those living in areas frequently affected by these, such as parts of the Southern U.S., California, and urban centers with older housing infrastructure, will be directly impacted.
- The budget constraints and size of the program (serving 130 million Americans) indicate that funding will be spread across numerous projects and communities, which may dilute funds per individual but allow for broad impact.
Simulated Interviews
Public School Teacher (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am glad to see a policy aimed at addressing extreme temperatures and air quality.
- My community often suffers from high heat, and any assistance to mitigate this would be welcomed.
- I hope this policy brings real changes, like more green spaces and better heat management in schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Farmer (Rural Louisiana)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel ignored when it comes to disaster support.
- If this policy can bring FEMA assistance and technical support here, it would be a relief.
- Our crops have been suffering, and I support any action to tackle climate impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
Retired (Miami, Florida)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these are important for places like Florida that face hurricanes and extreme weather.
- I am hopeful that the funds will go towards strengthening housing and utility infrastructures against climate impacts.
- It would be beneficial if they also focus on mold and allergen cleanup after flooding events.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Construction Worker (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My job is directly related to rebuilding after disasters.
- Supporting fire-prone areas with better materials is crucial.
- We need codes that actually protect homes against fires.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Nurse (New York City, New York)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living in an old building, I worry about lead and mold, especially for my kids.
- I hope the policy will enforce standards that make my home safer.
- Healthcare workers see the effects of poor housing on health all the time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Tech Worker (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Wildfire smoke makes outdoor activities difficult in the summer.
- Policies focusing on improving air quality are important for public health.
- Working remotely helps, but air quality impacts our daily life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Manufacturing Worker (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Detroit suffers from old, crumbling infrastructure, and air quality is a constant issue.
- Improving infrastructure can make neighborhoods safer from floods and pollution exposure.
- Hope the policy allocates enough resources to fully support revitalizations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
College Student (Austin, Texas)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard to focus in college when heatwaves hit the campus without proper cooling systems.
- Policies should ensure that educational institutions are prepared for climate impacts.
- I hope this translates to a better learning environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Real Estate Agent (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Given the climate risks in real estate, this policy might stabilize the market by reducing weather-related damages.
- Clients often worry about the impact of heatwaves and flooding on new properties.
- Resilience-focused communities could become more attractive to buyers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Rancher (Rural Montana)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Weather patterns here are changing, affecting both livestock and crops.
- I'm hoping for better guidance and technologies through this policy.
- If the policy helps stabilizing our environment, it can preserve our livelihood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1200000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 2: $1300000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1600000000)
Year 3: $1400000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1700000000)
Year 5: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 10: $1600000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $1900000000)
Year 100: $2200000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2400000000)
Key Considerations
- The coordination between federal and state governments will be crucial for the successful implementation of the bill.
- Adjusting existing regulatory frameworks to incorporate these changes may be complex and resource-intensive.
- Community engagement and education will be vital to ensure local populations understand and support the changes.