Climate change is already causing suffering, and the damage will get more severe until emissions reach net-zero later in the century. This workstream explores how governments, working with many other institutions, can help people lead thriving lives as the climate changes rapidly.
The period after a disaster is a precious time when people, the financial system and the government embody a kind of flexibility that could help support those who want to move out of harm’s way and toward a safer, more resilient way of living better suited to our current climate.
Climate shocks, such as recent, devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton, open windows when the disaster recovery system can encourage and support adaptation to new climate realities.
An article on the federal authorization of emergency funding for housing recovery
Many Floridians, of all possible political persuasions, are going to face financial ruin and displacement over the next few decades, as storms increase in intensity and chronic flooding arrives. These risks need to be reduced to avoid stupendous human and financial burdens ahead.
The rising pace and cost of disasters is cause for alarm, both because of the likelihood of major disruption in so many people’s lives, and because of the potential for systemic failures in the housing and insurance markets that could lead to wider, global economic shocks.
California, Florida, and Texas have different approaches for funding rebuilding efforts after fires, floods, and other natural disasters. Climate change is testing their limits.
