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The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the federal government's first responder to floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, has eliminated references to climate change from its strategic planning document for the next four years.

, released by FEMA on Thursday, outlines plans for building preparedness and reducing the complexity of the agency.


The document does not say what could be contributing to "rising natural hazard risk," or what conditions could require the "increased investments in pre-disaster mitigation."

Similarly, under a section about "Emerging Threats," the document cites cybersecurity and terrorism. There are no references to global warming, rising sea levels, extreme weather events or any other term related to the potential impact of rising surface temperatures.

In an email to NPR, FEMA Public Affairs Director William Booher said,

The agency's Strategic Plan was issued with the signature of Administrator Brock Long.

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The agency's strategic planning document does not mention the potential impact of a changing climate on the rising risk of natural hazards.

FEMA drops 'climate change' from its strategic plan

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