America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast

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 iss...

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...

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 journey...

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 findin...

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 a...

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:...

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 doi...

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...

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...

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 adapt...

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, cl...

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 cl...

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 adaptatio...

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 s...

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...

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 e...

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 dis...

In the latest episode of America Adapts , we are talking with citizen activists impacted by repeated flooding and what actions they are taking in response.  The podcast is joined by representatives from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Anthropocene Alliance . We also talk to four citizen activists who have experienced flooding first hand and the steps they are taking to make their com...

In the latest episode of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Erin Sikorsky , the director of The Center for Climate and Security . Erin and Doug discuss: how to elevate the urgency of climate change through national security; why climate change is considered a top threat to the U.S.; how it's impacting the core duties of the U.S. military; where are global 'hot spots'; how climate change could lea...

In the latest episode of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Ladd Keith and Dr Sara Meerow to discuss their new book, Planning for Urban Heat Resilience .  Sara is an Assistant Professor at the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University and Ladd is an Assistant Professor in Planning and Chair of Sustainable Built Environments at The University of Arizona.  L...

In the latest episode of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Leo Goldsmith of ICF and   Dr. Michael Mendez , Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning and Policy at the University of California, Irvine, to discuss their new paper, Queer and Present Danger : Understanding the Disparate Impacts of Disasters on LGBTQ+ Communities. Mike and Leo discuss the unique vulnerabilities of this community...

In the latest episode of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Michael Mendez , Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning and Policy at the University of California, Irvine. Michael shares his research on how undocumented immigrants are particularly vulnerable to wildfires and climate change; why FEMA doesn't provide disaster aid to these workers; what is a "worthy disaster victim" and how ad...

In the latest episode of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Elizabeth Mattiuzzi of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco . Lizzie's latest research unpacks the ways low- and moderate-income communities are vulnerable to climate risks. Learn the role of housing insecurity in communities' climate vulnerabilities. Her research also uncovers awareness levels among organizations dealing with c...

In the latest episode of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Crystal Skillman , an award winning playwright, who has written a new climate themed play, Rain and Zoe Save the World .  The show is co-hosted by regular guest, "cli-fi" expert, Dr. Amy Brady .  Amy and Doug discuss with Crystal what inspired her to write a climate themed play, why the arts are so important in climate communication and h...

In the latest episode of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Cameron Adams , a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, in the office of Senator Chris Coons (Democrat) of Delaware. Cam is the primary author of a new bi-partisan bill that would create a position of Chief Resilience Officer , who would be responsible for developing a National Adaptation Plan . Cam shares the history of the legislation; why Cong...