America Adapts - The Climate Change Podcast

In episode 184 of America Adapts, we’re headed to Trinidad and Tobago for the Keeping History Above Water conference. The event brought together international speakers and experts to discuss the challenges faced by island communities in the face of climate change.  The goal of the conference was to advance the resilience and long-term preservation of Trinidad and Tobago's historic sites and cultural resources. Experts from Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat, St. Maarten, Cuba, as well as cultural heritage experts from the United States joined the podcast. And did you know, this beautiful island nation is famous for creating the limbo dance and steel drums! Topics covered: Climate change is threatening historic and coastal communities across the Caribbean region, including in Trinidad and Tobago. The conference brought together international speakers and experts to discuss the challenges faced by island communities due to climate change. The role of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago

In episode 183 of America Adapts, it’s a re-release of episode 68.  Doug travels down under to Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. Doug was invited to give the keynote address at the Victoria Adaptation Summit, then he participated in the National Adaptation Conference, where he interviewed experts from throughout southern Australia. Learn innovative adaptation techniques from the private sector, local councils and the state government. Topics in this episode: local council approach to climate adaptation; innovative tools for communicating climate adaptation; understanding climate risks and profiting off it; the psychology of adapting to climate change; Victoria state government and the emerging role of states in adaptation planning; the use of big data in climate planning; private sector adaptation; can kangaroos adapt to climate change, and much more! Plus a bonus conversation with Dr. Amy Brady about her new book, Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks--a Cool History of a Hot Commodity. Guests in this

In episode 182 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons host Mark Nevitt, a former Navy Jag and now Law professor at Emory University.  Mark shares his insights on the intersection of law and climate change. They discuss how US laws were created during a much more stable climate and how the legal system has not kept up with the current climate moment. The takings clause in the US Constitution is now relevant for climate change and Mark and Doug dig into this issue. Mark also considers his military experience good preparation to get into climate adaptation. We also discuss whether judges should recuse themselves if they are climate skeptics and should we amend the US Constitution to address important adaptation issues. Also, what would happen if the President declared a national emergency around climate change. Join us for this fascinating discussion on the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of law and climate change. Topics covered: ·         Mark's military background in the Navy and military justice

In episode 181 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Eric Roston, the Sustainability Editor at Bloomberg News (that covers the climate beat!).  We explore the world of climate journalism and the challenges that reporters face when covering this complex and ever-changing topic. From the difficulty of reporting on emerging science to the tough decisions that newsrooms make about which climate issues to focus on, Eric and I discuss some of the biggest questions facing climate journalists today. We'll also examine the thorny issue of covering climate leaders, such as the Greta Thunberg. Eric also shares insights and motivations to understand what it's like to be a climate journalist. Additionally, we'll explore the need for expanded climate newsrooms and whether this effort will stick in the long run. Join us on this fascinating journey into the world of climate reporting. Topics covered: ·         How do newsrooms decide what climate issues to focus on. ·         Should climate modeling be regulated? ·      

In episode 180 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Eric Chu. Eric shares the challenges of integrating climate curricula into universities and the functions of the UC Davis Climate Adaptation Research Center. We also discuss the importance of working with university students to determine their professional adaptation work needs. We take a closer look at Chapter 12 of the National Climate Assessment (NCA) and discuss why it isn't used more frequently by adaptation professionals. Furthermore, we explore the NCA's efforts to avoid replicating the IPCC report process. We discuss the growing pains that climate equity is going through as Eric highlights the need to define an idealized climate equity goal before we can realistically accomplish it. We also discuss the emptiness of much of the rhetoric surrounding climate equity discussions. Finally, we touch on the fact that adaptation research typically lags behind adaptation practice. Topics Covered:  Challenges of bringing climate curricula into a univers

In episode 179 of America Adapts, I’ve partnered with World Wildlife Fund to learn the critical role mangrove forests play in coastal adaptation and the work WWF is doing with their Mangroves for Community and Climate project.   You’ll hear how WWF is applying its three core adaptation strategies:  ecosystem-based adaptation; nature-friendly adaptation, and climate-smart conservation. We journeyed to the Yucatán in Mexico to speak with mangrove experts from around the world - Mexico, Madagascar, Colombia, Fiji, Australia and the US – all coming together to share their expertise and knowledge, and develop new tools to help mangroves persist in a changing climate so we can rely on their important services for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the future. WWF is working to conserve mangroves around the world through various initiatives, including the development of a climate-smart mangrove restoration decision support tool. Finally, we’ll hear how WWF’s Climate Crowd program is working to mobilize co

In episode 178 of America Adapts, we dig into the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) as a catalyst for transformational adaptation. Joining the podcast: Adie Tomer of the Brookings Institution talks about their infrastructure resource hub; Shalini Vajjhala of re:focus partners returns to discuss how they are helping local communities be strategic in their adaptation planning and finding practical approaches for grant applications; Brandon Kay of Tempe Arizona and Tom Jacobs of the Kansas city region, discuss how their communities are using their existing adaptation planning efforts to help them apply for funds. Bonus conversations: Samantha Medlock, the General Counsel for the now sunsetted U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and Chad Nelson from Infrastructure Canada.  These experts are in the thick of climate planning and they will offer useful advice on how your community or organization and apply for this adaptation funding.  If done effectively, this infrastructure funding can l

In episode 177 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Justin Sanchez of Battelle; Jamie Beck Alexander of Project Drawdown; Franco Amalfi of Google Cloud; and Erin Sikorsky of the Center for Climate and Security. All our keynote speakers at the upcoming Innovations in Climate Resilience that Battelle is hosting in Columbus, Ohio. You’ll learn about the climate change work each of their companies and organizations are working on and you’ll hear get previews of their talks at the Innovations conference. Some of the leading climate voices sharing their stories! Topics covered: Details on the upcoming Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference. How Project Drawdown works with groups to lower their carbon footprint and find solutions to large scale climate problems. Google Cloud works with government entities on resilience planning using big data and climate modeling. How national security is increasingly focused on climate adaptation. Experts in this Episode: Justin Sanchez - Technical Fellow at Battelle Eri

In episode 176 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Kelly Hereid, the Director Of Catastrophe Research and Development at Liberty Mutual Insurance. Kelly takes us through the tool of catastrophe modeling and explains why it could be useful for adaptation planners. We also learn how the insurance industry tries to make the uncertain nature of hurricanes and climate change more predictable: “Climate translators” play a critical role in this process.  They also discuss the wild, wild west nature of the climate data and modeling industry and how to avoid using bad information in your adaptation planning. Doug and Kelly also discuss the unique and controversial role Citizens Property Insurance in Florida plays in coastal planning. Topics covered: What is a ‘climate translator’? How the insurance industry makes climate uncertainty more predictable. What is catastrophe modeling and why it should be used in adaptation planning. Making sense of climate predictions set decades in the future. Translating climate

In episode 175 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts early career adaptation professionals. We learn their educational background; what inspired them to get into the adaptation space; what climate impacts and geographic regions they are most interested in making a difference; do they think there are enough adaptation professional advancement opportunities; what adaptation work they want to be doing in 20 years; and what unique skills do they bring to the resilience space. Fantastic conversation with the next generation of adaptation professionals! Topics covered: Educational background of early career adaptation professionals. What inspired these professionals to go into adaptation. What climate impacts and regions are people interested in? What are adaptation education gaps? Are there professional development opportunities in adaptation? What adaptation resources are recommended. What do they want to be doing in 20 years. What are some unique adaptation skills they bring to the sector. Guests in this Epis

In a re-release, episode 111 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Linda Shi, an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University.  Doug and Linda talk about coastal development and adaptation economics; what happened to the 100 Resilient Cities Initiatives; urban inequality; racially just adaptation; transformative adaptation and much more!   Topics covered: Issues for equity, adaptation and climate change Urban planning and climate justice. Spatial inequality Coastal development and adaptation economics “Racially just Adaptation” Real estate vulnerability Climate Adaptation Plans Can Worsen Unequal Urban Vulnerability Transformative adaptation What happened to the 100 Resilient Cities Initiative What is an adaptation professional? The lack of university level adaptation programs Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Battelle Information Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference https://www.battelle.org/conferences/conference-on-innovations-in-cl

In episode 173, Dr. Carolyn Kousky of the Environmental Defense Funds joins the podcast to discuss her new book, Understanding Disaster Insurance, New Tools for a More Resilient Future. Carolyn and Doug discuss why insurance companies still are not taking climate change seriously enough. Carolyn shares some innovative insurance tools to help people gain access to flood insurance in at risk areas. We also learn some of the fundamentals of climate risk and how insurance can play an increasing role in adaptation planning.   Topics covered: Why should people care about risk insurance? Why aren’t insurance companies taking climate change more seriously? Examples of innovative insurance tools to help with adaptation planning. What is risk transfer and why is it so important for climate adaptation? Disasters, their economic consequences, and the role of insurance. Innovation to Unlock the potential of disaster insurance Why aren’t insurance companies more interested in managed retreat? Subscribe to the America Ad

In episode 172, Judge Alice Hill from the Council on Foreign Relations returns to the podcast! Alice discusses the recent floods in Pakistan and how the aftermath could be a national security threat. We also discuss Puerto Rico and Hurricane Irma and the challenges of getting on the ground resilience funding on the island. Alice and I discuss how bureaucracies can have difficulty supporting adaptation planning and funding and why a National Adaptation Plan would help with adaptation coordination. Alice also shares the lack of basic climate understanding among corporate leaders and how that inhibits making resilience a priority in the private sector. We also dig into the recommendations of the recently released GAO report, Climate Change: Enhancing Federal Resilience. Always great to catch up with Alice Hill! Topics covered: The flooding in Pakistan and the National Security Implications of the aftermath. Hurricane Fiona and Puerto Rico. The challenges for FEMA to distribute funding. Bureaucratic hurdles to

In episode 171, Dr. Jesse Keenan of Tulane University returns to discuss the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and how adaptation and resilience are built into the legislation. We discuss the misleading adaptation coverage in the media and why the Act represents a significant investment in climate resilience. Jesse takes a deep dive and explains how adaptation is built into tax policies, clean energy credits, community investment and much more in the legislation. Joining the podcast in a bonus interview is Samantha Medlock, the Senior Counsel for the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis where she explains what’s next for adaptation legislation in the U.S. Congress. Topics covered: Misleading coverage of adaptation in the Inflation Reduction Act. How the Act integrates with other adaptation legislation, e.g., the Infrastructure Bill of 2021. Gaps in Adaptation funding and legislation Is a National Adaptation Plan even more critical now? Bonus interview: House Select Committee on the Climate Cr

In episode 170, Lisa Craig of The Craig Group joins the podcast to discuss how her company supports local governments, community groups, cultural organizations, and state, national and tribal partners in adapting to climate change.  We also discuss the challenges of adapting cultural resources in a changing climate. Doug and Lisa discuss the implications of suing a local government to adapt to climate change.  Lisa shares stories of working with communities and describes in detail how they get very different stakeholders to collaborate on adaptation planning. In a segment, ‘adapt or abandon’, Lisa gives her professional opinion on what historic resources should be preserved and which ones we might have to abandon. It’s a provocative conversation but ultimately one many of us will have to have. Lisa also shares her unique professional journey into the adaptation sector. We also get a sneak peak of some work America Adapts will be doing with Lisa’s team in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023.   Topics covered: Hazard

In episode 169, we’re doing a mid year adaptation review extravaganza! Doug is joined by Shaun Martin of World Wildlife Fund and Monika Serrano, of Turner Construction. The three discuss the top climate stories of the past year; their favorite America Adapts episodes; future recommendations for the podcast; how to stay connected to the adaptation universe; their favorite resilience and adaptation resources; where will adaptation be in ten years and much more! It’s a fun and informative discussion with two leading adaptation pros!  Also, Dr. Jeff Colgan of Brown University joins the pod for a quick discussion on a new resource at Brown’s Climate Solutions Lab that allows you to search climate course syllabi, or upload your own for others to access. Topics covered: Top climate stories of 2022 Favorite America Adapts podcast episodes of the past year (and why) Recommended adaptation resources. Topics for future America Adapts’ episodes. Should universities offer adaptation degrees? How to use social media more

In episode 168 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts David Kuhn and Ben Jordan. David is the lead for corporate resilience at World Wildlife Fund and Ben is the Senior Director of Packaging and Climate at The Coca-Cola Company.  We discuss why engaging the corporate sector is so important to WWF and why the private sector will be so important for the emerging adaptation sector.  We also discuss sustainability and its longer history with corporate America and how adaptation can complement the work that’s already been done in sustainability.  You’ll also learn about an innovative project the two are working on together that will build climate resilience and protect water quality in Guatemala. This episode will ground you in the current state of affairs with climate adaptation and the business sector.  We cover a lot of ground in this podcast! Experts in this episode: David Kuhn - Lead for Corporate Resilience at World Wildlife Fund Ben Jordan - Senior Director of Packaging and Climate at The Coca-Cola Company

In episode 167, Doug Parsons hosts Francisco Sanchez Jr., Associate Administrator for the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance. Francisco shares what is the office of disaster assistance. We also discuss how climate change is requiring them to evolve their mission. SBA is actually a major funder of disaster preparedness, an increasingly important part of any adaptation response for communities. We also learn about Francisco’s previous experiences doing similar disaster work in Houston, Texas. He has some riveting stories as the city was preparing for Hurricane Harvey to make landfall. It’s a great episode and you get to hear how a federal agency is stepping up on the issue of climate change. Topics covered: What is the role of SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance How is the Office evolving factoring in climate change. What are some federal policies that make it hard to provide disaster assistance. Learn why disaster preparedness is a key pillar of climate adaptation. Learn how remar

In episode 166 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts adaptation experts from Colorado. We learn how extreme storm events have been a major driver in adaptation planning in the state. Discover the most pressing climate impacts facing Colorado. We hear from the state climatologist about Colorado’s unique climate and what challenges it brings to adaptation planners. We also hear about on the ground examples of resilience planning from city and local governments.  Colorado is learning quickly how to upscale their post-disaster recovery efforts.  The epic 2013 floods were a catalyst for many of the resilience actions we see today in Colorado. Learn how that happened and how responding to these events has spurred adaptation innovation at the state level. Colorado has created a useful template on how other states can begin to comprehensively adapt to climate change. Colorado Experts in this episode: Anne Miller - Colorado Resiliency Office Director in the Colorado Office of Local Affairs Russ Schumacher - Colorado

In episode 165 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Katharine Mach. Katharine is a Professor at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and is a lead author for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. Katharine explains the process of drafting the report; how the media succeeds and fails at communicating the urgency of the report; Doug and Katharine also discuss a need to rethink the role and purpose of the IPCC report to help elevate the urgency of the message it’s sending. Katharine also explains a paper on “the concept of risk” she co-authored for the IPCC. In addition, we hear how the University of Miami is bringing adaptation and resilience into its curriculum. Topics covered: IPCC is a grand partnership between the governments of the world. How did the media do in reporting on the IPCC report? The IPCC has zero regulatory authority over sovereign nations. What does it mean to be a lead author for the IPCC. Many developing countries don’t have the climate data and e