A recent report has sparked conversations about climate resilience in Georgia. It suggests establishing a state office dedicated to preparing for the impacts of climate change.
Interestingly, the term “climate change” barely appears in the report from the University of Georgia’s Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) and the Pew Trusts, released on August 4. Instead, it focuses on improving “resilience” in the state, similar to measures taken by South Carolina’s Office of Resilience.
Resilience here refers to strategies for handling natural disasters like floods, droughts, and wildfires. According to Eric Fossmeyer, director of the South Carolina Office of Resilience, avoiding the phrase “climate change” might be a tactic to keep politics out of the discussion. He points out that recent data shows natural disasters are happening more frequently across all states, affecting everyone regardless of background or beliefs.
The report notes an alarming trend: Georgia has faced more major disasters in the last five years than in the two decades before that. Fossmeyer emphasizes that these issues transcend political divides and should unite communities in resilience efforts.
The General Assembly will need to support and finance this new office. South Carolina’s resilience office operates on a budget of $126 million a year; however, not all of this is recurring funding. The case for spending on resilience is strong. Investing upfront can save money in the long run—a statistic from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates that for every dollar spent on resilience, governments can save $13 in disaster recovery costs.
But more than just spending, data plays a crucial role in these initiatives. Fossmeyer critiques the outdated infrastructure data driving today’s projects, suggesting it’s time for fresh, accurate information to guide decisions.
Brian Bledsoe, director of IRIS, agrees. After conducting 15 meetings across the state, he reported a strong desire among residents for state-level coordination in tackling resilience issues. “It feels like the right time for Georgia to bring together various efforts for a more cohesive approach,” he said.
The 2024 Georgia House of Representatives report suggests linking the new Office of Resilience to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. However, the IRIS-Pew report is vague on implementation details, with minimal references to “climate change.” The scientists behind such studies warn that climate change, largely driven by fossil fuel use, is likely exacerbating the severity of extreme weather events.
Interestingly, while many Americans believe the government should help with disaster preparedness, a recent poll has shown mixed feelings about direct government action on climate change itself. This reflects an ongoing debate—one that might influence how resilience initiatives are structured in the future.
For anyone wanting to explore the full findings, the detailed report is available here.
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Environment,Georgia,Governing,Legislature,politics
