On February 16, 2025, top officials at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) received a memo mandating an immediate cessation of all climate change-related activities and the removal of climate-related terminology from the agency's policies and programs.
This directive aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at reversing climate initiatives established by former President Joe Biden, as reported by Bloomberg News.
The memo instructs senior leaders to "eliminate all climate change activities and the use of climate change terminology in DHS policies and programs, to the fullest extent allowed by law."
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued this directive . It spells a significant shift in the agency's approach to climate change, potentially impacting disaster response operations managed by DHS.
The Trump administration has already taken decisive actions including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and halting billions in federal grants related to climate initiatives. Hundreds of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff members have been dismissed or placed on administrative leave as part of this broader rollback of environmental policies13.
The implications of this memo are particularly concerning for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is responsible for coordinating federal disaster responses. With the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters linked to climate change, FEMA's ability to effectively respond could be compromised.
This directive comes at a time when alarming climate trends are evident; January 2025 was recorded as the hottest January on record, surpassing previous highs set in January 2024. Experts warn that such changes necessitate robust federal responses to mitigate risks associated with extreme weather events.
As DHS oversees a workforce exceeding 260,000 employees across various agencies, including Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard, the repercussions of this policy shift will be felt across multiple sectors. The agency's previous commitments to address climate-related risks had included initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience against extreme weather conditions. However, with this new directive, those efforts may be significantly diminished.
The memo reflects a broader trend within Trump's administration to prioritize energy production over environmental concerns, raising questions about the future of U.S. climate policy and its implications for national security and disaster preparedness.