When natural disasters hit will Project 2025 help?

Sep 30

3 min read

Recently Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented destruction, with damages exceeding $10 billion, leaving thousands of homes and businesses in ruins. The storm’s widespread flooding and wind damage severely impacted infrastructure, displacing thousands of residents and straining local resources as the recovery process continues to take a financial and emotional toll on the affected communities. With severe weather events like Hurricane Helene fresh in our minds let's explore the potential impacts of Project 2025 on the response to natural disasters.

So what is Project 2025? Project 2025 is an extensive policy blueprint proposed by conservative think tanks, aiming to reshape the U.S. federal government's approach to climate change, natural disasters, and events like hurricanes.

Climate Change Policies Under Project 2025

Firefighters managing a wild fire — According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the U.S. has seen a sharp rise in extreme fire events, contributing to billions in damage and devastating ecosystems.

Rollback of Environmental Protections

Project 2025 proposes significant rollbacks of environmental protections, potentially hindering climate change mitigation efforts. Key actions include:

Eliminating federal restrictions on fossil fuel drilling on public lands.
Curtailing investments in renewable energy technologies.
Easing environmental permitting restrictions for new fossil fuel projects.

These measures could increase greenhouse gas emissions, worsening global warming and its effects.

Dismantling Key Environmental Agencies

The blueprint suggests dismantling or curbing the capacities of key agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This could limit the federal government's ability to manage environmental pollutants and conduct essential climate change research.

Impact on US Climate Goals

By undermining existing environmental and climate policies, Project 2025 could impede the United States' ability to meet its climate goals under the 2015 Paris Agreement. The plan's focus on fossil fuels over renewable energy sources could lead to increased carbon emissions, further endangering the planet.

Natural Disasters and Emergency Response

Tornado hitting a farm in the mid-west — In 2023, the U.S. spent approximately $165 billion on natural disaster responses, driven by a record-breaking 28 extreme weather events that each caused over $1 billion in damage, including hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.

Shifting Responsibilities and Costs

Project 2025 recommends significant changes in federal disaster management. Notable proposals include:

Moving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the Department of Homeland Security to the Department of Interior or the Department of Transportation.
Shifting disaster recovery costs from the federal government to individual states.

These changes could burden states financially, potentially slowing disaster response and recovery efforts to events like severe weather.

Privatization of Services

The blueprint advocates for privatizing services currently managed by federal agencies, such as:

Eliminating the National Flood Insurance Program.
Moving flood insurance to private insurers.

This shift could result in higher insurance premiums and reduced coverage for individuals in flood-prone areas, complicating recovery from natural disasters.

Florida, for example, is facing a significant crisis as insurance companies increasingly withdraw from the state due to the high risk of natural disasters, particularly hurricanes and floods. In recent years, insurers have been overwhelmed by the rising number of claims and payouts resulting from repeated storms and escalating damage costs. This has led major insurers, such as Farmers and United Property & Casualty, to reduce or completely cease offering policies in the state. The instability in Florida’s insurance market has left homeowners with fewer options, skyrocketing premiums, or no coverage at all, forcing many to turn to the state-run insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. As climate change continues to drive extreme weather, the situation is likely to worsen, straining both the state’s insurance system and its economy

Potential Positive Changes

While Project 2025's proposals are controversial, some experts believe certain suggestions, like reforming FEMA for efficiency, could improve disaster response. However, these potential benefits may be overshadowed by the broader negative impacts.

Conclusion: Project 2025 Can Threaten Disaster Relief Amid Rising Climate Catastrophes

City hit by an earthquake — One key aspect of the plan is increasing the threshold for disaster declarations, which would make it harder for states and local governments to qualify for federal aid after disasters.

"Project 2025 would abandon American families and small businesses in a time of crisis, leaving them with fewer tools and resources to rebuild their lives”

-David Ballard, Center for American Progress

Project 2025 represents a radical shift in how the United States addresses climate change, natural disasters, and emergency response. The proposed rollbacks in environmental protections and shifts in disaster management responsibilities could have far-reaching consequences for the environment and public safety. It's crucial for policymakers and the public to thoroughly evaluate these implications and advocate for policies that prioritize environmental health and public safety. By understanding the potential impacts of Project 2025, we can better prepare for and advocate against policies that threaten our environment and public safety.

Sources:

Sierra Club. "New Study Shows Disastrous Effects Project 2025 Would Have on Climate and Public Health." Published August 14, 2024. Link
Wikipedia. "Project 2025." Retrieved from: Link. Published August 29, 2023.
FactCheck.org. "A Guide to Project 2025 - FactCheck.org." Accessed September 2022. Link. Published September 10, 2024.
Brookings. "Project 2025: What a second Trump term could mean for media and technology policies." Published July 25, 2024. Link
Medium. "The Truth About Project 2025." Published July 12, 2024. Link
ProPublica. "Inside Project 2025’s Secret Training Videos." Published August 10, 2024. Link