An America That Rises to Meet Its Challenges

Health, Faith, and Civic Leaders Unite on the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, national leaders across the health, faith, and civic sectors have come together to issue a clear, urgent call for climate resilience and justice.

This moment, marked by both the memory of a historic tragedy and the reality of escalating climate disasters, reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect people and communities from harm. From deadly heatwaves and floods to wildfires and storms, the risks are rising. But so is our resolve.

ecoAmerica and its partners invite you to endorse the following joint statement calling on national leaders to protect what matters most, people:

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We believe in an America that rises to meet its challenges.

Today, as we mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we remember the lives lost, communities uprooted, and the resilience of those who endured in its wake. This anniversary — amidst devastating summer floods and waves of life-threatening heat — reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect people and places from the growing risks of extreme weather and accelerating climate impacts. 

We need to strengthen our capacity to protect one another. Yet, our nation is dismantling the very systems designed to do just that. Federal agencies such as FEMA, which help Americans prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, NOAA, which forecasts dangerous storms to help communities prepare, and CDC, which plays a key role in public health emergency preparedness, are being gutted.

Life-saving safety nets have been defunded. Critical infrastructure that safeguards lives is collapsing. This is a moral and civic failure. When we disinvest in preparedness, deny the gravity of climate change, or delay action, we put American lives, livelihoods, and communities at risk and weaken our children’s future.

We call on national leaders to:

• Fully fund and restore FEMA, NOAA, CDC, and all critical resilience programs.
• Put health, safety, responsibility, and fairness at the center of federal disaster preparedness and response.
• Enact federal policy that accelerates the transition away from fossil fuels, which are driving climate change and increasing the risk of extreme weather.

We believe Americans deserve leadership that puts people first. We represent public health and medical professionals, clergy and congregational leaders, and community organizations, the trusted voices in every town and city in this country. These are people we turn to in times of need, and people who dedicate themselves to our care and wellbeing. We stand together because we stand for people. We are united by a shared belief that everyone deserves safety, freedom, and the opportunity to thrive. 

We believe in an America that rises to meet its challenges. One where communities are protected, where policy is grounded in compassion and evidence, and where leadership reflects the courage and values of the people it serves. 

A stronger future is not only possible, it’s already being built. Across the country, communities are coming together to protect one another by advancing clean, affordable energy, improving public health systems, building resilient infrastructure, and investing in local leadership. These are not abstract ideals. They are real, they are happening now, and they are saving lives. 

We cannot wait for the next storm to remind us of what truly matters. We must act boldly, swiftly, and collectively to build the future our children deserve. Because in the face of rising risk, we choose to protect what matters most — people.

We choose hope. We choose action. We choose to lead.

Signed by,

Georges C. Benjamin, MD Executive Director American Public Health Association

Bishop Vashti McKenzie President & General Secretary National Council of Churches of Christ

Roman Palomares National President League of United Latin American Citizens

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PCUSA adds: “As a part of our Christian witness to the grace of God given to us through Jesus Christ, the highest ecclesiastical counsel, the General Assembly, of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) consistently affirms God’s call to protect and care for each other, particularly in the areas of disaster response and caring for creation, including responding to climate change.” 

More Steps You Can Take

1. Endorse the Statement
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