Department of Housing and Urban Development Joins the U.S. Global Change Research Program
On December 4, Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), named the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the 15th member of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). This builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate agenda, which takes the most ambitious action in history to tackle the climate crisis. The USGCRP coordinates federal research and investments in understanding the forces shaping the global environment, both human and natural, and their impacts on society.
HUD brings important insights and perspectives to USGCRP, drawing from its work increasing climate resilience in low-income and climate-vulnerable communities, its experience preparing communities for and helping them respond to more frequent climate-related disasters, and its commitment to environmental justice. The addition of HUD will help USGCRP better connect critical information to the people and communities across the country who are facing increasing risks due to climate change.
“I am delighted to welcome HUD to the Subcommittee on Global Change Research, which oversees the USGCRP,” said Director Prabhakar. “As our climate changes, it is crucial that every community is prepared and resilient. That’s why HUD’s voice is so important in USGCRP, which is charged with answering our nation’s most urgent global change questions. This expansion of USGCRP membership reflects President Biden’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis for all Americans.”
“This new partnership further defines our strong commitment to advancing our nation’s climate change resiliency, especially for our most vulnerable, at-risk communities,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “HUD will work closely with our federal partners to share research on climate impacts and the effects on the American housing communities we serve.”
USGCRP was established by the Global Change Research Act of 1990, and operates under OSTP. Its work is guided by a Congressionally mandated 10-year strategic plan. USGCRP also produces the quadrennial National Climate Assessment, which is the nation’s most authoritative source on climate change.
###
