America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast

In episode  231 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons speaks with Robin Keegan , a nationally recognized leader in disaster recovery, resilience, and climate adaptation. With senior roles at FEMA and HUD during the Biden-Harris Administration—and a pivotal role in Louisiana's post-Katrina recovery—Robin brings unmatched insight into how federal recovery systems work, and more importantly, how they...

In this short solo episode 230  of  America Adapts , host Doug Parsons shares some behind-the-scenes updates on America Adapts . Doug reflects on the recent all-Spanish episode in partnership with World Wildlife Fund, recaps his visit to the Climate Connect conference in DC, and previews upcoming guests like Robin Keegan and Laurie Schoeman. He also shares details about his summer travels to the M...

En el episodio 229 de America Adapts , presentamos una edición especial del pódcast: nuestro primer episodio completamente en español. Este es un hito emocionante, ya que ampliamos el alcance del programa para llegar a audiencias hispanohablantes en todo el mundo.   Este episodio retoma el trabajo innovador de la iniciativa ManglarIA del Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza (WWF, por sus siglas en ing...

In episode  228 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons speaks with Victoria Salinas , Senior Fellow at the Climate Resilience Institute at the University of Miami and former Deputy Administrator for Resilience at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Biden administration. Victoria shares her journey into federal service, including her decision to join FEMA at a critical juncture...

In episode 227 of America Adapts , we are re-releasing one of the more popular episodes of the podcast — my interview with Madison Condon , a law professor at Boston University. In our original conversation, we explored the critical role climate modeling plays in climate adaptation, including: what climate models can — and can't — do; the concept of the "climate industrial complex"; legal liabilit...

In episode 226 of America Adapts , Dr. Susanne Moser , a world leading expert in climate adaptation returns to discuss a new report she's co-authored, The Tasks of Now: Toward a New Era in Climate Resilience Building . We explore how adaptation strategies have evolved—and why we need to shift from incremental approaches to truly transformational action.   Susi makes a compelling case for "multisol...

In episode 225 of America Adapts , we explore flood risk disclosure—a simple yet powerful climate adaptation tool that helps homebuyers avoid financial disaster while building more resilient communities. As climate change worsens flooding and federal support for resilience efforts declines, some states are stepping up with smart policies to protect homeowners before disaster strikes. I'm joined by...

In episode 224 of America Adapts we're diving into climate change and human mobility—how rising seas, extreme weather, and disasters are forcing communities to relocate and what that means for policy and planning. Joining the podcast is Dr. Eric Chu , who's helping lead a new webinar series (where America Adapts was the moderator) on this topic with CCST (California Council on Science and Technolo...

In episode 223 of America Adapts , we explore disaster resilience and climate adaptation through four expert interviews. We start with Anita Van Breda of WWF's Environment and Disaster Management (EDM) program who kicks things off by sharing the program's 20-year journey integrating nature into disaster risk management . Then, Dr. Ken Conca critiques large-scale flood control in Ellicott City, Mar...

In episode 222 of America Adapts , I sit down with Dr. Carolyn Kousky , a leading expert in climate risk and insurance, to explore the transformative potential of 'Insurance for Good.' We discuss how climate change is not only intensifying risks like wildfires in California but also driving radical changes to insurance markets worldwide. Carolyn shares insights on how the industry can respond to t...

In episode 221 of America Adapts , we're hosting some of the world's leading adaptation experts (and previous podcast guests) to make climate predictions for   2025! From the growing impacts of wildfires reshaping communities, extreme heat, adaptation technology, to the potential massive shifts in climate policy under a new presidential administration, this year promises to be a turning point. Joi...

In episode 220 of America Adapts , we're diving into a new project from Tailwind: The Adaptation & Resilience Innovation Playbook. In this episode, I chatted with Katie MacDonald , co-founder of Tailwind, a pioneering firm dedicated to driving innovation in climate adaptation. Katie and her team at Tailwind are at the forefront of helping companies tackle some of the most pressing climate hazards—...

In episode 219 of America Adapts , we dive into the intersection of climate resilience, fiscal accountability, and federal oversight with two distinguished guests: Dr. Jesse Keenan , a leading expert in adaptation and urban planning at Tulane University, and  Alfredo Gomez , Director of the Natural Resources and Environment Program at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Together, we unpack...

In episode 218 of America Adapts , I'm joined by Dr. Alizé Carrere , a recent doctoral graduate from the University of Miami, whose groundbreaking research explores the concept of "climatopias"—an innovative blend of climate and utopia. Now based in Nairobi, Kenya, Alizé shares her fascinating insights into how architecture and urban design can tackle climate challenges. From defining climatopias...

In episode 217 of America Adapts , we dive into World Wildlife Fund's ManglarIA ("AI for Mangroves" in Spanish), a new initiative supported by  Google.org , Google's philanthropic arm. This pioneering initiative is using advanced technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to understand how mangrove ecosystems and their contributions to communities are affected by climate change and its im...

In episode  216 of America Adapts , I'm joined by Sara Bronin , Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, or ACHP . We dive into the vital work the agency does to protect our nation's historic sites, with a focus on its regulatory responsibilities, especially the Section 106 review process. Sara also shares how the ACHP is incorporating Indigenous knowledge into preservation practice...

In episode 215 of America Adapts , I'm joined by Sherri Goodman . Sherri is Secretary General of the International Military Council on Climate and Security and a senior fellow at the Wilson Center Polar Institute. Sherri shares her decades of experience at the intersection of national security and environmental policy, offering fascinating insights from her newly released book, Threat Multiplier :...

In episode 214 of America Adapts , we partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to show their work in adapting cultural resources in the Pacific islands. We traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii to cover the Keeping History Above Water workshop and the PICARD , Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Research and Development conference. These two events were combined and sponsored by the Department of Defen...

In episode 213 of America Adapts, we are joined by two fellow climate podcasters and an expert in extreme heat. First is Louie Woodall , who hosts Climate Proof, a podcast focusing on adaptation finance, investment, and technology. Then, returning to the pod, is Peterson Toscano - the host of the Citizens Climate Radio podcast - where he interviews people from all walks of life to discuss the effe...

In episode 212 of America Adapts , we partnered with Battelle to delve into the multifaceted world of ecological research with four distinguished scientists. Dr. Paula Mabee, Chief Scientist and Director of the National Ecological Observatory Network, discusses NEON's mission to monitor ecological changes and its role in shaping adaptation strategies through data and collaboration. Dr. Jamin Green...

In episode 211 of America Adapts ,   Doug Parsons attended the 2024 New Jersey Coastal and Climate Resilience Conference at Monmouth University in New Jersey. In this episode, we'll be engaging with New Jersey's top experts and leaders to discuss the current state of coastal science and research, climate resilience, and ecological restoration.   We'll explore how peer-to-peer learning and communit...

In episode 210 of America Adapts , Dr. Carolyn Kousky , Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy at the Environmental Defense Fund , returns to discuss the climate challenges in Florida's property insurance market. She outlines how Florida faces significant economic risks due to hurricanes and other disasters, with 36 presidential disaster declarations since 2000. The episode delves into...

In episode 209 of America Adapts , I attended the Waterfront Conference in New York City hosted by the Waterfront Alliance . The conference took place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in lower Manhattan. In this episode, you'll hear from state and local government officials talking about how they do coastal climate adaptation. We'll also have insights from private sector companies who are leading...

In episode 208 of America Adapts , Mark Nevitt , an associate professor of law at Emory University joins the podcast to discuss his new paper that's under review, entitled, Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat: How to Break the Climate Disaster Cycle .   Mark delves into the expansion of climate change law courses and his research on the security implications of climate change. He discusses his articles highl...

In episode 207 of America Adapts , Dr. Kelly Turner of UCLA and Dr. Ladd Keith at the University of Arizona join host Doug Parsons to discuss groundbreaking work in extreme heat governance and planning, specifically focusing on the recent NOAA grant awarded to launch the Center for Heat Resilient Communities. The grant aims to enhance heat resilience in communities by encouraging connections betwe...