Generating the Science Behind Climate Adaptation with the Schoodic Institute

In episode 236 of America Adapts, 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. And it’s not just about Acadia National Park — the lessons and approaches being tested here have implications far beyond Maine’s rocky shores. In this podcast, you’ll hear how these partners are mapping mudflats, tracking rockweed, digging into history, and asking hard questions about how to connect science with the urgent work of building resilience. This is the story of the science behind adaptation — and the unique role Maine plays in showing what’s possible.  This episode was generously sponsored by the Schoodic Institute.  Experts in this Episode: Dr. Nick Fisichelli  – President and CEO of Schoodic Institute - transcript of interview Dr. Chris Nadeau  – Climate Change Adaptation Scientist at Schoodic Institute - transcript of interview Dr. Hannah Webber  - Marine Ecology Director at Schoodic Institute - transcript of interview David Manski  – Vice-chair of the Board at Schoodic Institute - transcript of interview Lauren Gibson - Wild Acadia Coordinator at Friends of Acadia - transcript of interview Raney Bench - Executive Director at the Mt. Desert Island Historic Society - transcript of interview Catherine Schmitt  - Science Communication Specialist at Schoodic Institute - transcript of interview Julia Rush  - Cathy and Jim Gero Acadia Early-Career Fellow in Science Communication at Schoodic Institute - transcript of interview - transcript of interview Gillian Audier- Cathy and Jim Gero Acadia Early-Career Fellow in Science Research at Schoodic Institute - transcript of interview 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! Instagram: @SchoodicInst Facebook: @SchoodicInstitute LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/company/SchoodicInstitute YouTube: Youtube.com/user/SchoodicInstitute Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: Schoodic Institute Science Page https://schoodicinstitute.org/science/ Landscape of Change https://mdihistory.org/landscape-of-change Maine’s Climate Future Report https://climatechange.umaine.edu/climate-matters/maines-climate-future/ https://friendsofacadia.org/ Acadia National Parkhttps://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm   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/ @usaadapts 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 235 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons speaks with Erin Sikorsky, 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 it right—successfully integrating climate risk into military and national planning. This is a must-listen for anyone working at the intersection of climate, defense, policy, or global stability.   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 Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.social Links in this episode: Leaving the Island podcast series: leavingtheislandpod.com https://www.amazon.com/Climate-Change-Battlefield-International-Contemporary/dp/1350407666 https://climateandsecurity.org/erin-sikorsky/  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! 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 234 of America Adapts, 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 will hear how reinsurance strategies are evolving, how fintech is creating new tools to stabilize premiums, how local resilience projects are shaping insurability, and how industry leaders are adapting to intensifying climate threats. Together, these voices provide a rare, comprehensive look at the diverse forces reshaping an industry on the front lines of climate adaptation—offering insights every community will need in the years ahead.  This episode was generously sponsored by the CO2 Foundation. Experts in this Episode: Dr. Carolyn Kousky – Founder Insurance for Good – Interview transcript Anna Sherrill - real estate agent and vice president of sales at One Sotheby’s International reality – Interview transcript Stephanie Race - CEO of Earth Analytics Group – Interview transcript Charlie Sidoti - Executive Director of InnSure – Interview transcript Laurna Castillo -  senior vice president with CSAA Insurance Group – Interview transcript Abby Ross - Founder and CEO of The Resiliency Company – Interview transcript Stephen Weinstein - CEO of Mangrove Property Insurance – Interview transcript Dylan Dimarchi - co founder of Eventual – Interview transcript Moira Birss - fellow at the climate and community institute – Interview transcript Frances Bouchard - Managing Director of Climate at Marsh McLennan – Interview transcript To learn more about the CO2 Foundation and the project they fund, visit their web site here. 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 Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.social Links in this episode: https://co2foundation.org/about/ https://mangrove-fl.com/ https://resiliency.com/ https://eventualclimate.com/#faq The Epicenter (mentioned by Abby Ross): https://www.epicenterinsights.com/ https://www.earthanalyticsgroup.com/about https://resiliency.com/ https://climateandcommunity.org/bio/moira-birss/   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/ @usaadapts 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 233 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons takes you inside the 2025 MR Conference at Columbia University, 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 from a diverse group of voices across disciplines, and from former Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, who calls for moral leadership and shared responsibility in a world facing climate-driven displacement. Whether you're an adaptation professional or simply trying to understand what's coming, this episode delivers timely insights from the frontlines of climate planning. This episode was generously sponsored by Tulane University’s Center on Climate Change and Urbanism. Experts in this Episode: Dr. Alex de Sherbinin – Chair of MR2025 Organizing Committee and Director and Senior Research Scientist, at the Center for Integrated Earth System Information (CIESIN) at the Columbia Climate School President Carlos Alvarado – Former President of Costa Rica Kelly Main - Founder and Executive Director Buy-in Community Planning Olga Loginova - Journalist and documentary filmmaker Loïck Le Roy – Phd Student at Sorbonne University Rob Moore - Director climate adaptation at the Natural Resources Defense Council Macey Williams - Resilience Manager at the Center for Planning Excellence Dr. Jesse Keenan - Favrot II Associate Professor of Sustainable Real Estate and Urban Planning School of Architecture at Tulane University   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 Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: https://ciesin.climate.columbia.edu/events/mr2025-mobility-adaptation-and-wellbeing-changing-climate Leaving the Island, the investigative podcast about the first federal attempt to resettle an entire island in Louisiana because of climate change. Official web page: https://www.audiation.fm/leaving-the-island Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19fkNUWn64WtBYFkSdAJYA?si=110b66ca8a404045 www.olga-loginova.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/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts Follow on Apple PodcastsFollow 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 232 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons has a candid conversation with Laurie Schoeman, 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 glaring absence of adaptation finance—and especially the neglect of communications—Laurie brings an insider’s experience in the development of federal climate policy. Doug and Laurie critique the performative nature of federal resilience efforts, the muddled conflation of climate justice and adaptation, and the critical failure to include communications in the resilience framework. Her message is clear: if we’re serious about climate risk, we need to rethink not just how we fund adaptation—but how we talk about it.  Laurie also reflects on her role in a groundbreaking blue ribbon commission on wildfire resilience in Los Angeles, which recently released bold recommendations positioning the city as a national leader in adaptation. Topics Discussed: How adaptation finance was neglected, with no real champions for the complex work of funding climate resilience. Why the administration’s climate justice efforts were often more performative than impactful, despite unprecedented federal funding. The conflation of adaptation, equity, and justice, which Doug and Laurie argue muddied priorities and weakened results. The quiet removal of communications from the National Framework—a missed opportunity with lasting consequences. A call for foundations to pivot toward adaptation communications, not just emissions reductions. A critical look at staffing and leadership gaps in the federal government’s approach to climate risk. Her current role addressing wildfire resilience in Los Angeles, where she continues to push for real-world adaptation solutions. 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 Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery https://labrcommission.org/blue-ribbon-commission-on-climate-action-and-fire-safe-recovery/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurieschoeman/ Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park Summer Lecture Series with Doug ParsonsRegister here:  https://schoodicinstitute.org/summer-lecture-series/ 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/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts Follow on Apple PodcastsFollow 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 231 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons speaks with Robin Keegan, 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, climate-ready recovery system should look like. She also shares lessons from her time on the frontlines and how she’s now helping communities adapt before the next crisis hits. It’s a great episode focusing on community adaptation! 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 Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: President Trump appoints new members to FEMA Review Councilhttps://www.ems1.com/disaster-management/president-trump-appoints-new-members-to-fema-review-council 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/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts   Follow on Apple PodcastsFollow 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! Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

In this short solo episode 230 of America Adapts, 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 reminder that Doug is available for speaking engagements. 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 Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode:  Climate Connect Conferencehttps://climatetechconnect.io/   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/ @usaadapts 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! 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 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! Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

En el episodio 229 de America Adapts, 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 aquí.  ManglarIA utiliza tecnología de punta —incluyendo inteligencia artificial, sensores y drones— para comprender mejor cómo los ecosistemas de manglares, y las comunidades que dependen de ellos, se ven afectados por el cambio climático. La iniciativa tiene lugar en la península de Yucatán, en México, y ejemplifica el papel cada vez más importante de la tecnología innovadora en los esfuerzos de adaptación climática.  En esta versión, escucharán directamente a tres expertos de WWF: Alejandra Calzada, Nicole Chabaneix y Gonzalo Sanson. Ellos comparten cómo la combinación de inteligencia artificial con el conocimiento local está ayudando a proteger ecosistemas críticos y a fortalecer la resiliencia de las comunidades.  También nos complace señalar que el anfitrión, Doug Parsons, participa en algunas de las entrevistas —en español— por lo que agradecemos su comprensión mientras asume el reto de hacer el programa más accesible. Gracias a WWF México por colaborar con America Adapts en este episodio especial. Transcripción de este episodio disponible aquí. Expertos en este episodio: Alejandra Calzada, Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, World Wildlife Fund – Mexico  Nicole Chabaneix - Sr. Specialist | Climate Adaptation & Resilience, World Wildlife Fund Gonzalo Sanson, Coastal Ecosystems Senior Officer, World Wildlife Fund - Mexico Consulte el kit de prensa America Adapts aquí Donar a America Adapts Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadaptshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Recursos y enlaces en este episodio: ManglarIA: Using artificial intelligence to save mangroves in a changing climatehttps://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/manglaria-using-artificial-intelligence-to-save-mangroves-in-a-changing-climate Weather Station in Rio Lagartos, Mexico https://www.weatherlink.com/embeddablePage/show/24bee1142da4472cbeacb45521bf069a/wide Google Environmental Report 2024 https://www.gstatic.com/gumdrop/sustainability/google-2024-environmental-report.pdf https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/mangroves-for-community-and-climate WWF Environment and Disaster Management Program https://envirodm.org/ WWF US https://www.worldwildlife.org/ Global Mangrove Alliance: https://www.mangrovealliance.org/ Versión en inglés de este episodio disponible aquí. Apple Podcasts Android Spotify! Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz ProductionsÚnete a la America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan Puede contactar a Doug en americaadapts @ g mail . com

In episode 228 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons speaks with Victoria Salinas, 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 climate risk reduction. The conversation explores key programs from her portfolio, including the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, with a focus on supporting underserved communities and using data to target resources where they are needed most. She addresses the current political climate and discusses the dismantling of climate adaptation programs at FEMA.  Despite her concern over recent setbacks, she offers a hopeful message for public servants, emphasizing the enduring value of service, equity, and innovation in climate resilience. This episode is a timely and candid reflection on what’s at stake for climate adaptation in the United States—and what it will take to keep resilience on the national agenda. Transcript available here. Victoria Salinas Quotes: "My kind of reflection on this has been that, firstly, I had believed, and I think we're finding out wrongly, that disaster management and helping people basically reducing human suffering caused by disasters, I thought that was apolitical, right? Like that it would transcend political spectrums. And because they're dismantling so many of the programs that are aimed at reducing disaster risk, unfortunately, as you've seen, FEMA has become hyper-politicized." “We’re not just funding infrastructure — we’re funding trust. When we partner with communities early, we build the kind of trust that saves lives when a crisis hits.” “You can have the best resilience policy on paper, but if it doesn’t survive a change in administration, it’s not really resilient.” 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 Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: President Trump appoints new members to FEMA Review Councilhttps://www.ems1.com/disaster-management/president-trump-appoints-new-members-to-fema-review-council https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriasalinas/ https://www.fema.gov/event/climate-adaptation-planning-emergency-managers-overview https://www.marshmclennan.com/insights/publications/2022/april/fema-could-be-americas-climate-adaptation-agency-what-is-the-biden-administration-waiting-for.html   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/ @usaadapts 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! 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 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! Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

In episode 227 of America Adapts, we are re-releasing one of the more popular episodes of the podcast — my interview with Madison Condon, 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 continue to support the vast public infrastructure behind climate data and modeling. That assumption no longer holds. Federal agencies are now actively dismantling the systems that deliver open, accessible climate data — a dangerous retreat from a public good relied on by scientists, communities, and the private sector alike. Following the original interview, we’ve added a brand-new interview with Madison to reflect on what’s changed, what we’re at risk of losing with the federal pullback, and why this shift toward privatized climate data should concern all of us. If you’ve already heard the original episode and want to jump straight to the new conversation, it begins around the 58 minute mark. Topics covered in original interview: The Federal Reserve “is a climate laggard.” What are climate models and what can and can’t they do? What is the “climate industrial complex”? How right, is “right” enough when it comes to climate models? Could climate analytic/modeling companies be held liable for bad projections? The role of climate analytic groups like First Street Foundation. Do we need a “National Climate Service” to provide basic climate data? Do adaptation planners understand the role of climate models in their work? Transcript of original interview with Madison available here. Transcript of second, recent interview with Madison available here. Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Donate to America Adapts Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here! Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter:https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/https://www.linkedin.com/in/madisoncondon/ https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.socialhttps://twitter.com/madisonecondon?lang=en Links in this episode: Climate Services: The Business of Physical Risk https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4396826 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-17/climate-risk-consulting-sector-needs-scrutiny-law-professor-says?leadSource=uverify%20wall https://prospect.org/economy/2023-04-12-rise-climate-rating-agencies/ https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4396826 https://policyintegrity.org/about/bio/madison-condon https://www.bu.edu/law/profile/madison-condon/ Donate to America Adapts Follow on Apple PodcastsFollow on Android 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! 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! Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1https://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 Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders The best climate change podcasts on The Climate Advisorhttp://theclimateadvisor.com/the-best-climate-change-podcasts/ 7 podcasts to learn more about climate change and how to fight ithttps://kinder.world/articles/you/7-podcasts-to-learn-more-about-climate-change-and-how-to-fight-it-19813 Directions on how to listen to America Adapts on Amazon Alexa https://youtu.be/949R8CRpUYU America Adapts also has its own app for your listening pleasure!  Just visit the App store on Apple or Google Play on Android and search “America Adapts.” 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! Executive Producer Dr. Jesse Keenan Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com