America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast

In episode 249 of America Adapts, 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 American homes are simply not built to withstand the disasters they face. Together, these conversations connect the dots between climate risk, insurance markets, and the way we build our communities—showing how insurance is becoming one of the clearest warning signals of climate change in action. https://www.americaadapts.org/episodes/an-uninsurable-country-what-rising-climate-risk-means-for-homeowners Experts in this Episode: Rob Moore - Director of the Climate Adaptation Division at NRDC Alfonso Pating - Global financial regulations specialist with NRDC. George Siegal - Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Director, Producer and owner of Move the World Films Key Themes Covered in This Episode What an "insurability crisis" is—and why it's emerging across the U.S. Why premiums are rising, policies are disappearing, and insurers are pulling back What makes a home insurable: risk, location, and construction The role of states in shaping insurance markets, building codes, and land use How FAIR Plans work and why they're rapidly expanding Whether FAIR Plans can become tools for resilience, not just backstops How insurance markets are acting as a signal of climate risk Why many homes are not built to withstand today's disasters The tension between affordability and resilient construction What this all means for the future of housing and adaptation For Educators & Students How insurance markets are responding to climate risk The role of states in shaping insurance, building codes, and land use The connection between housing, affordability, and resilience Insurance as an economic signal of climate change Professors are welcome to assign this episode or excerpts in syllabi Who Should Listen to This Episode Climate adaptation and resilience professionals State and local officials focused on housing, risk, and planning Urban planners and developers working in high-risk areas Insurance and finance professionals tracking climate risk Climate communicators and educators explaining these shifts Transcript of Rob Moore and Alfonso Pating interview avaible here. Transcript of George Siegal interview available here. This episode was generously sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here! Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Donate to America Adapts Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: An Uninsurable Country https://www.nrdc.org/resources/uninsurable-country https://www.nrdc.org/resources/insurance-fair-future https://builttolastmovie.com/ 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, more information can be found here! Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Android Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Follow/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! 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

In 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 Change and the Legal System: Why the U.S. Constitution Needs to Adapt with Law Professor 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 Leadershttps://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

In episode 247 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Mekala Krishnan, partner at the McKinsey Global Institute, 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 governance, leadership, and awareness remain critical to ensuring that new data and tools translate into action. For listeners working at the intersection of climate risk, finance, infrastructure, and policy, this episode offers a clear view into how the private sector is framing adaptation — and what that framing could mean for the future of the field. Transcript of episode available here. Key Themes Covered in This Episode Why the McKinsey Global Institute is focusing on adaptation now What it costs to respond to rising physical climate risk The resiliency gap and why investment remains insufficient How climate risk is entering mainstream economic thinking What large-scale adaptation models include — and exclude Governance, leadership, and awareness as scaling constraints The need for shared language between public and private actors Links & Resources from This Episode Advancing adaptation: How evolving hazards could shape the agenda Dr. Mekala Krishnan Ten key requirements for a systemic approach to climate adaptation For Educators & Students This episode is well-suited for courses on climate adaptation, environmental economics, climate risk management, corporate sustainability, public policy, or infrastructure finance. Key themes include physical risk modeling, cost-benefit analysis, capital allocation, governance constraints, and the expanding role of the private sector in adaptation. Professors are welcome to assign this episode or excerpts in syllabi. Who Should Listen to This Episode Climate adaptation and resilience practitioners Corporate sustainability, risk, and strategy professionals Urban and regional planners working on long-term resilience Insurance, finance, and reinsurance professionals Researchers and students studying climate governance or environmental economics Government staff involved in adaptation planning Funders interested in scaling adaptation solutions Climate communicators bridging public and private perspectives ClimateTech Connect Conference Mentioned in the Episode! ClimateTech Connect RegistrationUse 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 Leadershttps://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

In episode 246 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Shiran Victoria Shen, 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, the limits of top-down approaches, and what governments everywhere tend to respond to when climate risk becomes impossible to ignore. Transcript of interview here. Key Themes Covered in This Episode How public demand for climate adaptation emerges after extreme disasters Why people often ask for adaptation without using "climate change" language The 2021 Henan flood as a national turning point for adaptation awareness in China Public participation and formal governance channels, including the Local Leaders' Message Board Differences between adaptation and mitigation from a governance perspective The limits of top-down adaptation and where citizen influence realistically ends What adaptation in China reveals about public engagement globally Lessons for policymakers, planners, and communicators working outside the U.S. Links & Resources from This Episode Shiran Victoria Shen – Faculty Page (Washington University in St. Louis) The 2021 Henan flood increased citizen demand for government-led climate change adaptation in China Shiran Victoria Shen – Research & Publications Dialogue Earth article: How the Chinese public is engaging in climate adaptation China's National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (latest version) Background on the 2021 Henan Flood For Educators & Students This episode is well-suited for courses on climate adaptation, environmental governance, public policy, or comparative politics. Key themes include public participation, disaster response, adaptation without climate language, and institutional limits. Professors are welcome to assign this episode or excerpts in syllabi. Who Should Listen to This Episode Climate adaptation and resilience practitioners Urban and regional planners working on risk, infrastructure, or public engagement Researchers and students studying climate governance, adaptation, or comparative policy Government staff and policymakers involved in disaster response or long-term planning Funders and foundations interested in how public demand shapes adaptation outcomes Climate communicators looking to move beyond technical or ideological framing Anyone interested in how climate adaptation is unfolding outside the United States 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 Leadershttps://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

In episode 245 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons is joined by legendary climate journalist Jeff Goodell, author of The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet 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 book recap — it's a reckoning with the legacy of the warning, and why heat will still kill first if we keep refusing to take it seriously. Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here! Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Donate to America Adapts 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/ Links in this episode: https://jeffgoodellwriter.com/books/ https://jeffgoodellwriter.com/about/ 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. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! 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