On the Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America with Abrahm Lustgarten
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
Release Date: 05/07/2024
The Wild, Wild West of Climate Modeling…Just Got Wilder
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we are re-releasing one of the more popular episodes of the podcast — my interview with , 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 liability for inaccurate climate projections and the role of climate analytics firms like First Street Foundation. When this episode first aired, there was still a general assumption that the federal government would...
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Foundations and Transformational Climate Adaptation: A Roadmap for Funders
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , , a world leading expert in climate adaptation returns to discuss a new report she’s co-authored, . 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 “multisolving”—tackling climate, social, and economic challenges together—and outlines the urgent need for better coordination, deeper investment, and a more justice-oriented approach to resilience. We talk about the funding gaps holding this work back, the untapped role of the private sector,...
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Climate Change, Real Estate, and Adaptation: Why Flood Disclosure Matters with NRDC
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , 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 from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to discuss the push for stronger flood disclosure laws, plus a homeowner who learned the hard way what happens when flood risks aren’t disclosed. We’ll also...
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Climate Migrants Are Real—Now What?
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of 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 , who’s helping lead a new webinar series (where America Adapts was the moderator) on this topic with CCST (California Council on Science and Technology), the , and the . We’ll talk about how cities can prepare for climate-driven displacement, how researchers can better engage with policymakers, and what lessons we can take from California’s leadership in...
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Reducing Disaster Risk: The Workforce of the Future
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we explore disaster resilience and climate adaptation through four expert interviews. We start with of WWF’s (EDM) program who kicks things off by sharing the program’s 20-year journey integrating nature into disaster risk management. Then, critiques large-scale flood control in Ellicott City, Maryland, advocating for community-driven solutions. Next, , founder of ResilireD, shares insights into post-disaster housing recovery and the need for professionalized shelter reconstruction. Finally, Achala Navaratne from the American Red Cross, highlights the role of...
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From Risk to Resilience: Wildfires and the Insurance Industry’s Climate Reckoning
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , I sit down with , 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 these challenges by closing protection gaps, incentivizing resilience, and creating innovative solutions to build more climate-resilient communities. It's a timely and critical conversation at the intersection of insurance, wildfires,...
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Climate Adaptation Predictions for 2025: What the Experts Say
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , 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. Join us as we explore the trends, innovations, and strategies that will define climate adaptation in the year to come. You won’t want to miss what these experts have to say about the future of climate...
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The Adaptation Playbook: Innovative Strategies for Climate Resilience with Tailwind
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we’re diving into a new project from Tailwind: The Adaptation & Resilience Innovation Playbook. In this episode, I chatted with , 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—think wildfires, heat waves, and more. And now, they’ve taken it a step further with their latest project: a comprehensive playbook that maps out the booming adaptation market, which is projected to hit $2 trillion by 2030....
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Climate Fiscal Risks: The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Recommendations to Congress
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we dive into the intersection of climate resilience, fiscal accountability, and federal oversight with two distinguished guests: , a leading expert in adaptation and urban planning at Tulane University, and , Director of the Natural Resources and Environment Program at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Together, we unpack a pivotal GAO report on federal climate adaptation efforts, exploring its critical findings on the government’s capacity to manage climate-related financial risks. First off, Alfredo Gomez outlines the GAO's four key recommendations for...
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Climatopias 101: The Who, What, Where of Utopic Climate Adaptation Planning
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , I’m joined by , 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 to categorizing their types—projects that fortify, float, forest, reduce, reuse, and retreat—Alizé unpacks the transformative potential of these aspirational designs. She also introduces a thoughtful framework for evaluating...
info_outlineIn episode 205 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Abrahm Lustgarten, an investigative climate reporter and author from Propublica. Abrahm discusses his work on climate change and migration and highlights his coverage of various climate-related issues such as water scarcity, sea level rise and wildfire. Abrahm’s book, "On the Move," explores climate-driven migration in the United States. He traveled the country learning how areas are preparing, or not, for the impacts of climate change. He goes on the ground and interviews people in the heart of these climate impact zones. You’ll learn the unique struggles people have as it becomes increasingly expensive…and dangerous…to live in these impact zones. We also discuss how the media is doing covering climate migration and what the government can potentially do to help with this growing threat. And an all new episode tradition, Doug's "Hot Take"!
Topics covered:
- Abrahm Lustgarten and climate journalism
- Abrahm’s Book: "On the Move"
- Reporting at ProPublica
- Winners and Losers of Climate Migration
- Ecological Impact of Climate Migration
- Media Coverage of Climate Migration
- Book Promotion and Tour
- Future Project on Societal Conflict from Climate Migration
Quotes from Abrahm Lustgarten in episode:
I think all we can say about that is that we all can anticipate an era of great change and I think it'll scramble the map. It's hard to know when that'll happen, when there's a tipping point, both in terms of people moving or what that means for politics. But I think that all that I could say about that is that I wouldn't be surprised if 25 years from now, the electoral map looks entirely different from how it does today in part in response to the kind of changes that I write about…
So we're having this kind of scary conversation about the economics of home values in California. And then that particular day, I was looking out my window into the wildland urban interface in the suburban place that I that I live in. And I was like, Hey, wait, Jesse, I live right one of these spots you're describing, should I and he just cut me off and presumed my question was, should I live in a place that I live in? should I move? And he was like, yes, get out of there. You got to go. That was three or four years ago and I haven't moved yet.
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Links in this episode:
https://www.propublica.org/people/abrahm-lustgarten
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahm_Lustgarten
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374171735/onthemove
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/03/climate-migration-rust-belt-economy/677856/
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Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1
https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/publications/community-development-investment-review/2019/october/strategies-to-address-climate-change-low-moderate-income-communities/
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The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leaders
https://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders
The best climate change podcasts on The Climate Advisor
http://theclimateadvisor.com/the-best-climate-change-podcasts/
7 podcasts to learn more about climate change and how to fight it
https://kinder.world/articles/you/7-podcasts-to-learn-more-about-climate-change-and-how-to-fight-it-19813
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