Resilience

FEMA Agrees: We Need More Resilient Communities and Buildings

Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Craig Fugate.

A new effort is required to communicate climate risks and develop greater resilience at the local level, according to Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Fugate served as the keynote speaker on Feb. 29 at the National Leadership Speaker Series on Resilience and Security in the 21st Century, hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council and ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA at the National Press Club in Washington DC.

“We cannot afford to continue to respond to disasters and deal with the consequences under the current model,” said Fugate. “Risk that is not mitigated, that is not considered in return on investment calculations, will often set up false economies. We will reach a point where we can no longer subsidize this.”

FEMA Administrator Fugate Applauds Green Building as a Cornerstone of the Resiliency Agenda

Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Craig Fugate,
speaking to building resiliency.

Yesterday, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Craig Fugate delivered a rousing speech on the role green building can play to ensure resilient communities for a changing planet. Fugate served as the keynote speaker of the second installment of the National Leadership Speaker Series on Resiliency and Security in the 21st Century at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

The Administrator focused thematically on risk and better accountability in a changing world:

 “We cannot afford to continue to respond to disasters and deal with the consequences under the current model. Risk that is not mitigated, that is not considered in return on investment calculations, will often set up false economies. We will reach a point where we can no longer subsidize this.”

He also described the disconnect between total cost of ownership and action. He used the analogy of purchasing a car - does the consumer really understand the upfront cost versus the costs of insurance, gas, upkeep, etc.? It’s getting better because few would purchase a car with low fuel economy with gas prices at their current level, but there’s still a long way to go. It’s an apt analogy that also applies to buildings. Fugate said buildings also have long-term operating costs and risk factors that must be taken into consideration during construction and renovation.