Department of Homeland Security Joins the U.S. Global Change Research Program

Today, Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, named the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the 14th member of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), its first new member in almost two decades. The USGCRP coordinates federal research and investments in understanding the forces shaping the global environment, both human and natural, and their impacts on society.

DHS brings important insights and perspectives to USGCRP, including its experience in preparing our nation for and responding to more frequent natural disasters. The addition of DHS will help USGCRP better connect critical information to the people and communities across the country who are facing increasing risks due to climate change.

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.

Statement from OSTP Director Arati Prabhakar:

“It is my privilege to confirm the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) membership to the Subcommittee on Global Change Research (SGCR), which oversees the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). This milestone marks the first addition to the SGCR in almost 20 years.

As a nation, we aspire to build resilience and to mitigate and manage a shifting climate. The climate research activities coordinated by the USGCRP will play a critical role in providing the evidence we need to make informed decisions and achieve these goals.

DHS will bring unique and important perspectives to the SGCR and, together with other member agencies, ensure that the USGCRP is answering our nation’s most urgent and societally-relevant questions related to global change.”

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