We are in the midst of the climate crisis–rising temperatures, increased natural disasters, extreme weather events, food and water insecurity, sea level rise, and economic disruption. While we continue to fight for bold, collective action to combat climate disaster, we must also adjust to our current reality.

In 2023, the U.S. set a new record for the number of $1 billion disasters in one year, so far costing $57.6 billion in disaster relief and claiming 253 lives–in 2022, the cost was $162 billion. Meanwhile, rising costs of private hazard insurance is undermining property values and can drive home purchasing costs to unaffordable levels in places prone to climate disasters.

As far as disaster relief goes, the government is currently not prepared to cope with the continued impacts of the climate crisis. In response to the climate crisis, we need an overhaul of federal disaster relief.

Congress must make this a top priority. Adjusting disaster policies, like consolidating disaster relief programs and incorporating pre-disaster planning, in response to our current crisis could better prepare the American people as well as better prepare governmental responses and costs.

The climate crisis is here–we must have a response in place that will protect the American people while we continue to combat the crisis.

Sign the petition: We need a reformed disaster relief system for declaring natural disasters and distributing federal aid.