Foundations and Transformational Climate Adaptation: A Roadmap for Funders
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
Release Date: 03/31/2025
Generating the Science Behind Climate Adaptation with the Schoodic Institute
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we’re heading to coastal Maine — a place where science, community, and nature all come together to tackle climate change. Adaptation doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes data, observation, and sometimes years of research to generate the science that guides decisions. That science is often messy, imperfect, but it’s the foundation for every smart adaptation. Effective adaptation requires partnerships. As you will hear, in Maine, you’ll find scientists, historians, local communities, and institutions like the Schoodic Institute working side by side....
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Climate Change on the Battlefield: International Military Responses to the Climate Crisis with Erin Sikorsky
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , Director of the Center for Climate and Security and author of the new book Climate Change on the Battlefield. Erin explains how climate change is already impacting global security—degrading military readiness, increasing conflict risks, and forcing new missions on defense forces worldwide. We explore how national adaptation plans can serve as strategic tools, the dangers of political backsliding in the U.S., and how China’s assertive adaptation strategy may reshape global power dynamics. Erin also highlights countries that are getting...
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Innovations in Climate Risk and Insurance – The Podcast
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons explores the fast-changing world of climate risk and insurance—where escalating hazards are driving rapid changes in how we safeguard homes, businesses, and entire communities. This episode brings together an unprecedented mix of guests: policy experts advancing insurance reform, senior executives from leading insurance companies, a Miami real estate agent navigating the front lines of a shifting market, and innovators using big data and advanced technology to transform how risk is measured and managed. Across these conversations, listeners...
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Inside the MR2025 Conference: Planning for Adaptation, Mobility and Relocation in a Warming World
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons takes you inside the , a gathering focused on the complex realities of climate-driven movement—whether we call it managed retreat, relocation, or mobility. What does it mean to leave behind homes, neighborhoods, or entire communities in response to climate risks—and how do we do it in ways that prioritize justice and long-term resilience? The episode explores the politics of place attachment, the financial systems that shape who can move and who can’t, and how storytelling helps bring these abstract issues down to the human level. You’ll hear...
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Inside the Biden White House: Climate Adaptation Wins, Misses—and the Road Ahead
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons has a candid conversation with , former senior advisor on climate resilience in the Biden White House. Laurie offers a rare, unfiltered look inside the administration’s climate resilience efforts. Laurie helped coordinate adaptation strategy across agencies. While she didn’t lead the National Climate Resilience Framework, she had a front-row seat to its evolution—and its compromises. She speaks openly about what worked, what fell apart, and what was left on the cutting room floor. From the outsized influence of youth climate politics to the...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 “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, and why foundations have a unique opportunity to lead especially considering the massive pull back on climate action from the federal government. We also dig into something that is often overlooked: communication. Susi and I talk about why effective outreach and engagement are not just extras—they’re core to successful adaptation, and they need to be funded accordingly. If you’re working in or funding climate adaptation, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Transcript of conversation available here.
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Links in this episode:
The Tasks of Now: Toward a New Era in Climate Resilience Building
https://www.climateresilienceconsulting.com/climate-adaptation-field-status
Previous Adaptation report mentioned by Susanne Moser in episode:
Rising to the Challenge, Together
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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/
Podcasts in the Classroom – Discussion guides now available for the latest episode of America Adapts. These guides can be used by educators at all levels. Check them out here!
The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leaders
https://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders
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Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan
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