Massive layoffs at FEMA will affect natural disaster response.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has already laid off hundreds of employees as part of a massive purge of federal workers, will disproportionately affect communities of color, which, as you know, are on the front lines of the climate crisis at a time when cold temperatures and extreme weather are threatening to become more intense.

Juan Declet-Barreto, chief social scientist for climate vulnerability at the Union of Concerned Scientists, comments this move is a harm, not only to employees but to the country.

In addition, President Trump has expressed skepticism against the harm caused by climate change and his intention to support companies that pollute.

Juan Declet-Barreto, chief social scientist for climate vulnerability at the Union of Concerned Scientists, explains what FEMA is and how it helps.

He clarifies that most of the people who are supported by FEMA are vulnerable groups, Latinos or people of color.

With the reduction of FEMA’s workforce, Juan Declet-Barreto, Union of Concerned Scientists, Silver Spring, MD, recommends that citizens demand that legislators not take resources away from these types of agencies.

He explains that there are natural disasters that cannot be attended by a state, many times they require federal resources such as those available to FEMA.

He asks citizens to demand that their legislators not allow these resources and positions to be cut, and that the government listen to them with their vote.

Juan Declet-Barreto, chief social scientist for climate vulnerability at the Union of Concerned Scientists, shares that this is a complex time of increasing hurricanes, fires due to climate change.

He recognizes that the environmental protection agency is being dismantled in this Trump administration that does not believe climate change and only wants to protect large corporations that pollute the environment.

Juan Declet-Barreto, Union of Concerned Scientists, Silver Spring, MD, is confident that the population realizes that we are facing a setback in environmental issues but we can make the change as voters.