In episode 206 of America Adapts, the podcast partnered with Battelle for their third annual Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference, ICR24. The conference took place April 22-24th in Washington, D.C. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Keynote speakers and attendees join the pod to share their experiences in climate adaptation and also discuss highlights from the conference. The event attracted senior level federal officials along with emerging...

In 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...

In episode 204 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Bill Weir, the Chief Climate Correspondent at CNN. Bill shares his insights into how climate change now intersects with every aspect of our lives, transforming all beats into climate beats. Drawing from his experiences covering climate stories, he emphasizes the power of storytelling. We delve into the inspiration behind his book, "Life As We Know It," which looks at positive climate stories all inspired by the birth of his son. Critiquing...

In episode 203 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Justin Mankin. Justin is a climate scientist and associate professor at Dartmouth College. Doug and Justin discuss his provocative column in the New York Times on climate data accessibility – should tax funded climate data remain a public good.  Justin also explains the intricacies of climate modeling and the ethical considerations of private sector involvement. Justin also emphasizes the significance of aligning private and public...

In episode 202 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Maxine Burkett, a Professor of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. We’re taking a dive into the podcast archive and I’m rereleasing this previously and extremely popular episode:  The Moral Case for Climate Reparations + Climate Justice with Maxine Burkett. Maxine is  a Professor of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. We talked about the  state of climate migration; as we adapt, what will dominate, peaceful approaches to...

In episode 201 of America Adapts, I'm partnering with Battelle on their Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference, ICR24, taking place April 22-24th in the heart of Washington, DC. ICR24 isn't just any conference; it's a convergence of minds, bringing together environmental professionals, scientists, researchers, students, and key leaders from the White House, Department of Energy, National Labs, Department of Defense, industry, and academia. In this episode, we have a lineup of expert...

In the epic 200th episode of America Adapts, we’re partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense and highlighting the adaptation research they support.  In this episode, we're turning our focus to The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, or SERDP, at the DoD and the Energy and Environment Innovation Symposium they hosted in late 2023.  As the architects of innovation and research, you will hear how the DoD is interacting with partners and providing resilience research...

In episode 199 America Adapts, it is a recap of 2023. In this episode, we highlight the top climate stories of 2023 and also discuss some of our favorite America Adapts episodes of the past year.  Joining the pod is Anita Van Breda of Wildlife Wildlife Fund, Monika Serrano of Turner Construction and Jessica Mederson of the law firm Stafford Rosenbaum. In addition, there are two short bonus interviews:  Dr. Refilew Mofoke, a professor from South Africa, joins the episode to talk about her new...

In episode 198 America Adapts, we’re partnering with Forerunner, a software company that works with local governments to help them with disaster management, flood risk and adapting to future impacts of climate change.   Our discussion will feature insights from floodplain managers operating in both riverine flooding areas and coastal flood zones. These flooding experts are on the ground, finding ways to help their communities with extreme flooding and changes expected with a changing...

In episode 197 America Adapts, we’ve got something special for you - the ultimate guide to the fifth edition of the National Climate Assessment. Joining the pod is the director of the NCA, Allison Crimmins who provides a 30,000-foot level view of what’s in NCA5. Then regular contributor – and executive producer of America Adapts – Dr. Jesse Keenan of Tulane University joins the episode and we take a deep dive on what’s in the assessment. Jesse will be your guide through the assessment, as he...

In episode 196 America Adapts, we partnered with the Climate Science Alliance to cover their Climate Summit at the San Diego Natural History Museum.   Experts, speakers and participants from the Summit are highlighted in this episode. We kick things off with Dr. Amber Pairis of the Alliance setting the stage for the Alliance’s approach to transformational adaptation, emphasizing community-centered approaches, resilience, and relationship building. Multiple tribal voices share the importance...

In episode 194 of America Adapts, we take a deep dive on climate risk and the insurance sector. Earlier in the fall host Doug Parsons attended a two day conference hosted at American University in Washington DC. The conference was organized by Environmental Defense Fund, SBP and American University. The event brought together experts that focus on the role of insurance when it comes to building equity in disaster recovery, reducing future losses, expanding coverage with new innovations,...

In episode 194 of America Adapts, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) returns to continue the  'Flood Green Guide' series focused on nature based approaches to flood risk management. This is a follow up to the episodes from 2018 published shortly after the release of their “Natural and Nature Based Flood Management: A Green Guide, better known now around the world as the Flood Green Guide. In the intervening years, despite setbacks by the pandemic, WWF has been busy doing trainings on the flood green...

In episode 193 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Michael Coren, a journalist from the Washington Post who writes the Climate Coach Advice column. We go behind the scenes and learn how a national newspaper like the Wash Post covers climate change. Several major newspapers have expanded their climate coverage in the last couple years and you’ll learn how the Post has structured that coverage.  We also discuss some of the diverse topics he covers in his “Climate Coach” column and his...

In episode 192 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Kelly Turner and Dr. Ladd Keith. Kelly is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at UCLA and Ladd is an assistant professor in the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning at the University of Arizona.  We learn how extreme heat disproportionately impacts marginalized communities.  We also explore the evolving media coverage of extreme heat. The three of us break down the highs and lows of all the media coverage of extreme heat...

In episode  191 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Linda Shi, an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University. Dr. Shi takes us on an insightful journey through her experience at a managed retreat conference in New York City. She navigates conversations encompassing climate migration, the intriguing concept of the Northeast as a climate haven, and pioneering initiatives in cooperative housing. Highlighting the NOAA "NEST" program –...

In episode 190 of America Adapts, the Natural Resources Defense Council joins the podcast to discuss flooding buyout programs and how climate change will give rise to new demands for these initiatives. Also joining the podcast are partners in the buyout field, including The Nature Conservancy, the Climagration Network, Wetlands Watch, and a representative from a local government in Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, we will hear from a resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana, who underwent...

In episode 189 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons attended the U.S. Department of Defense Climate Resilience Workshop in St. Louis, Missouri. The DoD extended an invitation to Doug to conduct interviews with key leaders within the DoD and their external partners who are actively involved in adaptation planning around military installations. The conference attracted over 900 experts specializing in adaptation.  During the event, Doug had the opportunity to interview three Assistant Secretaries...

In episode 188 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Susan Crawford. Susan is a law professor at Harvard Law School, focusing on adaptation and public and the author of a new book, Charleston: Race, Water, and the Coming Storm. We discuss the intersection of race and climate change in Charleston's infrastructure planning. We highlight the city's reliance on tourism, the impacts of climate change on marginalized communities, and potential solutions such as buyouts and managed retreat....

Donate to America Adapts In episode 187 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Dena Prastos, founder and CEO of the architectural firm Indigo River.  In this episode, we learn the fundamentals of architecture and climate adaptation. Dena and Doug discuss the crucial role architects play in advocating for sustainable and resilient design practices that emphasize climate change risks. We discuss Indigo River's focus on waterfront projects in flood-prone areas and their incorporation of...

Donate to America Adapts  In episode 186 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons hosts Madison Condon, a law professor at Boston University School of Law. Doug and Madison explore the critical role climate models play in adaptation planning, but more importantly, their capabilities, what they can and can not do,.  Madison explains what is the "climate industrial complex’ and if there’s a need for the government to step in and regulate this emerging sector.  Also, should these climate analytic and...

In episode 185 of America Adapts, we’re highlighting some of the experts and speakers that attended the Innovations in Climate Resilience conference hosted by Battelle.  Conference experts weigh in on topics such as national security, climate risk modeling, public health and climate justice, adapting in the built environment and much more. The three day conference was held in Columbus, Ohio. Experts and practitioners from the private sector, NGOs, federal, state, and local governments all...

In episode 184 of America Adapts, we’re headed to Trinidad and Tobago for the Keeping History Above Water conference. The event brought together international speakers and experts to discuss the challenges faced by island communities in the face of climate change.  The goal of the conference was to advance the resilience and long-term preservation of Trinidad and Tobago's historic sites and cultural resources. Experts from Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat, St. Maarten, Cuba, as well as...

In episode 183 of America Adapts, it’s a re-release of episode 68.  Doug travels down under to Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. Doug was invited to give the keynote address at the Victoria Adaptation Summit, then he participated in the National Adaptation Conference, where he interviewed experts from throughout southern Australia. Learn innovative adaptation techniques from the private sector, local councils and the state government. Topics in this episode: local council approach to...