businesses
Newsletter
Credit: inmicco/Big Stock Photo
Heavier flooding puts many small businesses at risk
The increasing frequency and severity of floods across the US are pushing small businesses to the brink, with many one disaster away from closure.
In short:
- Root Hill Cafe in Brooklyn faces frequent flood damage, losing about $3,500 in sales and employee pay for each day closed.
- Small businesses nationwide struggle with high flood insurance costs and insufficient coverage, as seen in Vermont's $300 million flood damage last summer.
- Experts urge infrastructure upgrades and better flood risk transparency to support small businesses.
Key quote:
“We are constantly checking the weather... If we see that there’s a hurricane in Florida, it’s like, oh my God, please let it not come here.”
— Alejandra Palma, co-owner of Root Hill Cafe
Why this matters:
Flooding threatens the survival of small businesses, which employ nearly half of US workers and contribute significantly to the economy. Communities are calling for greater support from both state and federal governments, emphasizing the need for improved flood defenses, better urban planning, and more accessible disaster relief funds. Advocates argue that proactive measures, such as investing in green infrastructure and restoring natural floodplains, could mitigate future risks.
Keep reading...Show less
Editorial
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Editorial: Climate change is costly to consumers, business
Combatting climate change has gone from a nice idea to an economic necessity, and the sooner we accept this reality, the better off we’ll be.
Image by aymane jdidi from Pixabay
Why business leaders need up-to-date climate data
A sustainability expert says it’s time for companies to get their own up-to-date climate and environmental risk data as well as the expertise required to apply it to prepare for what’s to come.
These maps show how climate change affects your city in real time
The federal government released a set of tools to help cities, businesses, and residents understand the risks from climate change and plan for the future.
Opinion
Caroline Lucas: The solution to climate change is already here - we're just ignoring it
To truly create a world where the climate and nature emergencies are brought under control, where we can all live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives, we need governments and businesses to align their policies and strategies with the reality of a planet of finite resources.
ESG Watch: Climate activist investors were sidelined this earnings season, but they’ll be back
Earnings season has ended and there is a sense among environmental campaigners that there has been a backward step in efforts to get companies to take more action on climate change.
Moky Makura: How to sell climate action to Africa
The Global North’s disaster narrative regarding climate change has failed to motivate Africans to tackle the problem. It would be far better to reframe climate change as an opportunity to create new industries that can create jobs, build businesses, and stimulate the continent’s economies while saving the planet.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
