climate disasters
Newsletter
Disaster preparedness starts with facing reality
Americans need to acknowledge the increasing risk of climate disasters and take proactive measures to prepare for them.
In short:
- Extreme weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, posing significant risks to communities across the United States.
- While infrastructure and forecasting have improved, many people still underestimate their vulnerability and fail to prepare adequately, risking their safety during disasters.
- Establishing a "culture of preparedness" that involves education and coordinated disaster response plans can help reduce the impact of these climate-related events.
Key quote:
“If we leave people behind, it’s a failure.”
— Abdul-Akeem Sadiq, professor of public policy at the University of Central Florida.
Why this matters:
With climate change intensifying natural disasters, the number of affected individuals will likely increase. Effective preparedness and response strategies can save lives, prevent property damage and enhance community resilience.
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Newsletter
Cities struggle as storm prep burden shifts to citizens
Rapidly intensifying storms are forcing cities to adapt as residents increasingly shoulder the burden of disaster preparedness and evacuation planning.
In short:
- Cities have less time to order evacuations due to faster storm intensification, putting residents at risk of being trapped or facing unnecessary evacuations.
- Community groups and local organizations in New Orleans are stepping up to fill gaps in disaster preparedness with resource centers and solar panels.
- Climate change is reducing vertical wind shear, leading to more rapid storm intensification near coastlines, exacerbating the challenge.
Why this matters:
As climate change accelerates storm intensification, cities and residents must adapt quickly to new disaster preparedness challenges. Effective community collaboration and self-reliance become crucial in safeguarding lives and property.
Related EHN coverage:
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Opinion: Building climate resilience fails to protect human health
The Department of Health and Human Services' focus on climate resilience is insufficient to address the extensive health impacts of climate change.
In short:
- The HHS Climate Action Plan emphasizes resilience without adequately addressing prevention.
- Resilience policies overlook the pervasive and constant health threats posed by climate change.
- The approach may lead to accepting climate disasters as inevitable, rather than preventable.
Key quote:
"Resilience is the categorical imperative of business-as-usual; it is crisis managers buying time. For others, resilience is exhausting."
— Ajay Singh Chaudhary, author of The Exhausted of the Earth.
Why this matters:
Focusing solely on resilience without prevention leaves populations, especially the vulnerable, in perpetual danger. This approach risks normalizing climate disasters instead of aiming to mitigate them.
Relevant EHN coverage:
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As climate shocks worsen, FEMA tries a new approach to aid
The Biden administration is overhauling the country’s disaster assistance programs, expanding aid for survivors of hurricanes, wildfires and other catastrophes and making it easier to access.
Newsletter
Climate disasters leave people 'anxious and isolated.' This hotline takes their calls
Born out of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the federally funded phone line offers help to those experiencing emotional distress after a disaster or violent event — and has seen calls skyrocket in recent years thanks to accelerating climate-fueled disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic.
When internet access and climate change collide
Access to the internet is essential, yet communities are still struggling to connect amidst power outages and a changing climate.
Climate reparations are becoming a reality. Here’s what they could look like.
Grist asked 10 different countries how they would use the long-awaited “loss and damage” climate fund launched at COP28.
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