The US Federal government – in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) – has launched a new website offering a resource for communities to assess and prepare for climate-related hazards.
“From day one, President Biden made a clear commitment to protect our most vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change,” said Deputy National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “This website is designed as a one-stop shop to equip those on the ground with the tools they need to plan and prepare, and to access federal resources to build greater resilience.”
This accessible and interactive geospatial website, called the Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) portal, is a real-time monitoring dashboard which offers users information about real-time hazards; long-term exposure projections; data not specific to the climate, such as building code standards and social vulnerability information;and federal funding opportunities to support climate resilience projects. It also offers an assessment tool for an area on past, present and projected future conditions to support planners and city officials in assessing their exposure to climate-related hazards, such as drought, extreme heat, coastal and inland flooding, and wildfire. The site guides users in creating their own custom climate exposure assessment for specific locations.
“The climate crisis is hurting our communities and our economy,” said the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Addressing climate change and building climate resilience are among the Commerce Department’s top priorities. By combining critical climate data and climate-hazard information with the resources to help fund resilience and adaptation projects, CMRA will be an invaluable tool for local communities across America.”