“Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat: How to Break the Climate Disaster Cycle" with Mark Nevitt
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
Release Date: 06/30/2024
Fixing FEMA, Fixing HUD: A Former Insider on Disaster Recovery and Climate Adaptation
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , 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 fail. As the current administration actively undermines the government’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate disasters, Robin offers a frank assessment of what’s at stake and what a truly equitable,...
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What’s Brewing at America Adapts? Updates, Travels, and What’s Coming Next
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In this short solo episode of , 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 Managed Retreat Conference in New York and the Schoodic Institute in Maine. Plus, hear about an exciting new podcast series with the CO2 Foundation, a shoutout to professors planning their fall courses, and a quick...
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ManglarIA: Salvando la naturaleza con inteligencia artificial. Cómo WWF utiliza la IA para ayudar a los manglares a adaptarse
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
En el episodio 229 de , 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 inglés), que en español significa “IA para los manglares”, un proyecto apoyado por Google.org, el brazo filantrópico de Google. La versión original en inglés de este episodio está disponible . ...
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Dismantling F.E.M.A. : The Unmaking of Federal Climate Resilience from the Inside Out with Victoria Salinas
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , 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 for the agency. She reflects on FEMA’s traditionally reactive role and her efforts to reshape it into a more proactive force for community resilience—breaking down silos, emphasizing equity, and building a culture focused on...
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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,...
info_outlineIn 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 highlighting legal challenges in climate adaptation and introduces his new article focusing on breaking the climate disaster cycle. Mark emphasizes the importance of democratizing climate risk information and proactive measures like managed retreat. He explores legal liabilities in climate adaptation, the semantics of resilience, and the significance of accurate terminology in conveying climate risks. It’s a packed legally episode along with Doug’s ‘Hot Take’!
Transcript of this episode available here.
Topics covered:
- The Legal Crisis Within the Climate Crisis
- Emory's Climate Research Initiative
- Flying Navy Jets and Legal Scholarship
- Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat: Overview
- Democratizing Climate Risk Information
- The Adaptation Paradox
- Holding Individuals Responsible for Climate Risk Decisions
- Adaptation vs. Resilience Semantics
Quotes from the episode:
Mark Nevitt:
The National Flood Insurance Program is essentially a massive program to subsidize sandcastles. That is in place. It's a classic moral hazard where the people who are benefiting from the program are not fully invested in all the risks associated with it. It's heavily subsidized.
My central argument in that article is that just as we have a climate crisis, and most of your listeners are aware of that, we also have legal doctrines, statutes that have not really kept up with our climate destabilized world.
Doug Parsons:
And so you're proposing an entirely new framework. To break this cycle of destroy, repealed, rebuild, repeat.
…we've got to hold people responsible even today decisions that are going to be happening in the next few years, because we won't ever be able to afford this because 10 years from now.
Mark Nevitt’s previous appearance on America Adapts:
Climate Change and the Legal System: Why the U.S. Constitution Needs to Adapt with Law Professor Mark Nevitt
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Links in this episode:
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4744172
https://law.emory.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/nevitt-profile.html
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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
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