WEBVTT
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Language: en

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It’s a pleasure to speak with all of you today
as we explore innovative ways we can adapt

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to the realities of the climate emergency.

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As the Secretary of Homeland Security, I am
deeply aware of the impacts this issue has

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on both our national security and our collective
global security.

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At the Department, we must and we will do
more to address the climate crisis.

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Under President Biden’s leadership, we will
implement a new approach to climate change

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adaptation and resilience, and we will do
so with the sense of urgency this problem

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demands.

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Further, we know that the negative effects
of climate change on people around the world,

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including vulnerable populations, creates
additional migrant and refugee populations.

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It is vital then that we act to reduce emissions
and to promote resilience and adaptation,

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both as a Department and with our partners.

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Which is why I am excited to announce a series
of new actions today.

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First: I have launched a Department of Homeland
Security Climate Change Action Group – a

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coordinating body at the highest leadership
level.

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The Climate Change Action Group will include
every Senior Leader from across the Department

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and report directly to the me in order to
drive urgent action to address the climate

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crisis.

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The scale of the emergency is only growing;
this body will refocus and elevate our efforts.

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Second: Today, the Department published an
important and ambitious request for information

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from the American people, focusing specifically
on how the Federal Emergency Management Agency,

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FEMA as it is commonly known, 

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can ensure that its programs advance equity for all and increase resilience –

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especially among those who are disproportionately at
risk from climate change impacts.

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The public information we receive will help
FEMA to perform its time-honored mission of

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“helping people before, during, and after
disasters” under modern conditions.

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In the coming years, we will reorient FEMA,
so that it achieves its longstanding goal

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of “building a culture of preparedness”
in the context of novel risks, above all those

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produced by climate change.

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Finally: We are finding new opportunities
across the Department to promote environmental

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sustainability.

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For example, DHS, our Department, is leading the way in the
adoption of electric vehicles

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with the goal of electrifying 50 percent of our fleet by
2030.

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I have said before that the Department of
Homeland Security is the Department of Partnership.

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In tackling the enormous challenges presented
by climate change, our partnerships will be

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the key to success.

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For too many years, too little has been done.

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Now is the time for action.

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I welcome this panel’s ideas for how we
can support each other and work together to

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reduce emissions, to create jobs, to help
the most vulnerable among us, and to ensure

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that our nation, and the world, are prepared
to build stronger and more resilient communities.

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Thank you.