What Commerce Does:
Ensure communities and businesses have the necessary information, products, and services to prepare for and prosper in a changing environment.
- Advance understanding of environmental change
- Build a Weather-Ready Nation
- Strengthen the resiliency of communities and regions
- Foster sustainable marine resources
- Develop environmental and climate informed business solutions
The Department has a longstanding role in the protection of life and property from environmental hazards and in the stewardship of natural resources. This traditional role is now augmented by a robust agenda focused on providing communities and businesses with the information, products, and services they need to prepare for and prosper in a changing environment.
As social and economic systems evolve and grow more complex, it becomes more critical to have timely, actionable environmental intelligence. That intelligence can preserve and improve human and environmental health, help develop and maintain a viable national infrastructure, and promote growth while sustaining a healthy environment. Recent events, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, the historic tornado outbreaks of 2011, and Superstorm Sandy in 2012, demonstrate the need for better environmental intelligence. Improved intelligence will provide communities and businesses with tools and information to address similar challenges.
The strategies that have been developed to support this goal area will positively impact the lives of all Americans, from coast-to-coast and everywhere in between, every day.
