The Endangerment Finding Explained — and What It Means for Climate Adaptation
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
Release Date: 03/02/2026
Climate Adaptation Is Having a Moment—But Are We Ready?
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , founder of Hazelwood Network, to explore whether climate adaptation is finally moving into the mainstream—or if we’re seeing familiar signals that never quite add up. From growing attention in finance, consulting, and platforms like LinkedIn to real-world action in places like Singapore and across emerging markets, adaptation is gaining traction. But that momentum remains fragmented—spread across investors, governments, and innovators without clear coordination. At the same time, a major bottleneck persists: we still don’t know...
info_outline
Can Climate Adaptation Prevent Environmental Extremism—or Just Delay It?
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons speaks with , professor at American University and author of , to explore a question at the edge of today’s climate conversation: what drives movements to escalate? Drawing on his research on political violence and environmental activism, Zeitzoff traces the evolution of the radical environmental movement—from sabotage in the 1990s and early 2000s to today’s climate justice movement focused on mass protest and disruption. The conversation explores how tactics shift, what motivates activists, and why—despite intensifying climate...
info_outline
An Uninsurable Country: What Rising Climate Risk Means for Homeowners with NRDC
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons takes a deep dive into the growing climate-driven insurance crisis reshaping housing and communities across the United States. Doug first speaks with Rob Moore and Alfonso Pating of the Natural Resources Defense Council about their new reports on the nation’s emerging insurability crisis—why premiums are rising, insurers are retreating from high-risk areas, and what state policies can do to reduce risk and keep homes insurable. Then filmmaker George Siegal joins the show to discuss his documentary Built to Last: Buyer Beware, which reveals how many...
info_outline
The Endangerment Finding Explained — and What It Means for Climate Adaptation
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons is joined by Professor of Emory University School of Law to unpack the repeal of the Clean Air Act’s and what it means for climate governance in the United States. Long considered the legal backbone of federal climate regulation, its rescission raises fundamental questions about agency authority, the role of the courts, and the durability of federal climate policy. Mark explains the legal theory behind the repeal, how it intersects with Supreme Court precedent, and what likely comes next in federal court. The conversation also explores the...
info_outline
Advancing Adaptation with the McKinsey Global Institute
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode 247 of , host Doug Parsons hosts , partner at the , for an inside look at how one of the world’s most influential private research institutions is approaching climate adaptation. Drawing from MGI’s recent report, Advancing Adaptation, the conversation explores what it would actually cost to protect people and economies from escalating heat, flooding, drought, and wildfire — and why investment still falls short even when the economic case is strong.. The discussion also examines how ideas developed within a private firm travel into real-world decision-making, and why...
info_outline
Public Participation and Climate Adaptation in China
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode 246 of , host Doug Parsons hosts , assistant professor at Washington University in St. Louis, for a closer look at how climate adaptation actually emerges in China. Drawing on her research after the devastating 2021 Henan flood, Shen shows how public demand for adaptation surged—not through climate change language, but through calls for safety, infrastructure, and risk reduction, often using formal government channels. The conversation highlights adaptation as a lived governance issue rather than an ideological one, and surfaces practical lessons about public participation,...
info_outline
The Heat Will Still Kill You First with Jeff Goodell
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons is joined by legendary climate journalist , author of for a conversation about what’s happened since the book came out — and what hasn’t. Extreme heat is no longer a future risk or a background climate issue; it’s a present-day killer that exposes deep failures in public health, labor protections, urban design, and climate communication. We also talk about how recent political shifts have pushed the U.S. further backward on heat response, weakening protections and leaving communities more exposed just as the risks accelerate. This isn’t a...
info_outline
Arizona’s Climate Change Adaptation Playbook: Heat, Water, Wildfire
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , we adapt in the southwest! Welcome to the desert proving ground for climate adaptation. In my home state of Arizona—Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff—we get right down on the ground to see how communities are beating extreme heat, planning responsibly for water in a changing climate, and living with wildfire risk without losing what makes these places home. You’ll hear street-level fixes that change daily life—and travel anywhere—plus a clear playbook cities can steal now: run the hottest months smarter, put shade where people actually stand and walk, and build...
info_outline
North: The Future of Post-Climate America
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons welcomes back recurring guest and leading adaptation scholar to discuss his new book, (Oxford Univesity Press). Keenan examines how the United States is already changing through mobility, shifting markets, governance pressures, and evolving cultural identities. Doug and Jesse unpack why adaptation is not just a set of technical responses to climate impacts but a broader transformation in how communities understand stability, opportunity, and belonging. They explore the limits of local governments, the growing influence of market-led adaptation, and...
info_outline
FEMA at a Crossroads: What’s Breaking, What’s Working, and What Comes Next with NRDC
America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast
In episode of , host Doug Parsons checks in on FEMA at a moment of rapid change. With funding delays, political uncertainty, and major reforms underway, FEMA’s role in national resilience is shifting in real time. Doug speaks with four guests — Joel Scata (NRDC), Michael Coen (former FEMA Chief of Staff), Samantha Medlock (former FEMA Assistant Administrator), and Derrick Hiebert (AECOM) — to unpack what’s happening inside the agency, where communities are feeling the impacts, and what potential improvements could emerge from this period of transition. It’s a candid, timely...
info_outlineIn episode 248 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons is joined by Professor Mark Nevitt of Emory University School of Law to unpack the repeal of the Clean Air Act’s Endangerment Finding and what it means for climate governance in the United States. Long considered the legal backbone of federal climate regulation, its rescission raises fundamental questions about agency authority, the role of the courts, and the durability of federal climate policy. Mark explains the legal theory behind the repeal, how it intersects with Supreme Court precedent, and what likely comes next in federal court. The conversation also explores the practical implications of regulatory instability — from increased climate litigation to the shifting balance between federal, state, and local responsibility. For listeners working in adaptation, public policy, infrastructure, law, or risk management, this episode offers a clear look at how legal shifts at the federal level can reshape the broader climate landscape — and why adaptation efforts must continue regardless of political volatility.
Transcript for this episode here.
Key Themes Covered in This Episode
- What the Endangerment Finding actually did under the Clean Air Act
- Why Massachusetts v. EPA mattered
- The legal basis for the repeal
- How the repeal affects federal climate regulation
- The role of the Supreme Court and administrative law
- What happens next in federal court
- More emissions and rising adaptation costs
- States and cities filling the federal vacuum
- The growing role of climate litigation
- Adaptation continuing — but in a more fragmented system
Previous appearances by Mark Nevitt on America Adapts
Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat: How to Break the Climate Disaster Cycle with Mark Nevitt
Climate Adaptation Predictions for 2025: What the Experts Say
For Educators & Students
- The structure and limits of federal agency authority
- The interaction between executive action and judicial review
- How Supreme Court doctrine reshapes environmental governance
- Federalism and the division of climate authority between states and Washington
- Legal uncertainty and its impact on infrastructure and long-term planning
- Climate governance in periods of institutional instability
- The evolving role of courts in climate policy disputes
- Risk management when regulatory frameworks shift abruptly
- Professors are welcome to assign this episode or excerpts in syllabi.
Who Should Listen to This Episode
- Climate adaptation and resilience professionals navigating shifting federal policy
- State and local government officials responsible for long-term planning
- Urban and regional planners integrating climate risk into infrastructure decisions
- Insurance, reinsurance, and financial sector professionals assessing regulatory volatility
- Corporate risk, legal, and strategy teams tracking climate governance shifts
- Environmental law and public policy scholars following administrative law developments
- Funders and foundations evaluating the durability of climate investments
- Climate communicators explaining governance instability to broader audiences
ClimateTech Connect Conference Mentioned in the Episode!
ClimateTech Connect Registration
Use code: AAVIP for 25% discount off ticket prices
Support for America Adapts helps make episodes like this possible, including more international conversations on how adaptation is unfolding globally. All donations are now tax deductible!
Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here!
Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here.
Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here!
Facebook, Linkedin and Bluesky:
https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/
https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.social
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/
Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities:
If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way,
Now on Spotify!
List of Previous Guests on America Adapts
Follow/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.
The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leaders
https://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders
For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions
Write a review on Apple Podcasts !
America Adapts on Facebook!
Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group.
Check us out, we’re also on YouTube!
Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts
Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com