Craig Fugate and Amna Nawaz discuss climate change and disaster response on 'Settle In'

Craig Fugate, former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), discussed climate change and disaster response with PBS News host Amna Nawaz on their podcast, "Settle In". Fugate highlighted that during his tenure at FEMA, climate change was a primary focus for the agency. He explained that while discussing mitigation techniques reduced potential disaster impacts, it often led to debates about greenhouse gas reductions and transitioning away from carbon-based energy sources.

Fugate shared a story about a conversation with President Obama during his travels with the President to assess the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Obama urged Fugate to shift the focus from climate change debate to adaptation, stating that the debate had been resolved and adaptation was the necessary next step. This concept sparked a rift within the climate community, with some seeing adaptation as conceding defeat, while others recognized that climate change had already occurred.

Fugate emphasized that FEMA needed to alter its approach to disaster response. Traditional rebuilding practices based on historical data were inadequate in the face of record-setting events linked to climate change. FEMA had to adapt its guidance and focus on future impacts, rather than merely rebuilding to past levels with upgraded building codes. This shift in thinking was crucial, Fugate argued, as it allowed FEMA to truly mitigate risks for future disasters, using tax dollars more effectively in the long run.