Proposal: Add new section to Chapter III: Ecological Sustainability;
adjust subsequent points accordingly
Summary of Process: Proposal brought to committee; Discussion period & brief hiatus ensued; Call for consensus and additional discussion period followed (no objections/changes raised); Proposal passed via consensus on 8/16/2019 8:13pm.
Committee / Co-Chair Info: Eco-Action Committee / Co-Chairs Audrey Clement & Tim Worts (aclement65@hotmail.com, tcworts@gmail.com)
Author Contact Info: Tim Worts, (973) 303-6354, tcworts@gmail.com
Section Title: G. Disaster Preparedness/Management
Changes:
Solidify public health and safety above all else during natural disasters. Work with as many coalitions, volunteers, private entities, entrepreneurs, and government organizations as possible to coordinate mass efforts in helping people effected by increasingly frequent and extreme natural disasters. Do the same for manmade disasters such as oil spills and nuclear catastrophes.
Enhance the disaster management database to diligently track ongoing disaster management and cleanup efforts that are clearly communicated and only allow people to return to their homes when independent organizations have verified safe, habitable conditions. Improve database management through enhanced efforts with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Expand the U.N. definition of a refugee to specifically include those displaced by environmental conditions.
Double FEMA’s annual budget with appropriations diverted from the military budget, and give our nation’s servicemen and servicewomen the first opportunity to serve the public safety and wellbeing of their communities on the frontlines of the most pressing security concern of the 21st and 22nd centuries: Climate Change. Further, we call upon the government to pay off the debts of the National Flood Insurance program.
Ensure publicly-funded temporary housing to individuals and families displaced by climate-related environmental disasters such as flooding, fires, hurricanes, firenadoes, mudslides, and more through a universal, publicly-funded climate-disaster insurance system.
Current Text
n/a
Minor typo — “helping people effected” –> “helping people affected”
I think this is an important policy area that hasn’t been given enough attention. This is a start, but I would like to see some better wording. There is no clarification about whether climate refugees are internally or externally displaced. We also have to be careful because disaster capitalism is outpacing our ability to provide public services, and the police state is always ready to jump in and provide “security”. The paragraph about allowing our armed services to man the front lines needs some clarification since I am afraid that Homeland Security has their own ideas about how to do this.
change “Do the same for manmade disasters” to Do the same for corporation made disasters
“and only allow people to return to their homes when independent organizations have verified safe, habitable conditions” I fear this is a loophole for corporations. A imminent domain type issue.
I’m not certain that “solidify” is the best word to describe what you want to happen. However, I am sorry that I do not have a suggestion.
In reference to:
“Solidify public health and safety above all else during natural disasters. “
Please use the word service members instead of the binary terms. Thanks.