From Risk to Resilience: Wildfires and the Insurance Industry’s Climate Reckoning

“It is beyond a reasonable doubt, humans are contributing to climate change.” In episode 36 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons talks to Judge Alice Hill of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.  Judge Hill shares her experiences as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Resilience Policy on the National Security Council within the White House under the Obama administration. In the podcast, Judge Hill also discusses her journey from practicing law in Paris, to her work prosecuting high profile white collar crime in Los Angeles, to being recruited to serve as Senior Counselor to Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Ann Napolitano .  It’s an enlightening, sobering and ultimately inspiring conversation with one of the world’s experts on climate change and its national security implications.   Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts Show highlights with Judge Alice Hill: FROM LA TO THE CAPITOL – Judge Hill describes her start in law and her move to California. Judge Hill was working on the LA Superior Court when she was recruited by Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Ann Napolitano (her former classmate in Law School) to join the department as Senior Counselor. Judge Hill discusses the early days of bringing adaptation policy to the Homeland Security department. ADAPTING TO THE WHITE HOUSE – Judge Hill discusses her move to the White House’s National Security Council and developing policies that addressed the national security implications of climate change. BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT - Judge Hill describes her own journey learning the science of climate change, how being a lawyer and a judge, trained her to hear the evidence, then weigh that evidence, and conclude the overwhelming consensus of scientists was accurate. EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Most of the climate change policies originated from the Executive Branch during the Obama years and Judge Hill describes being at the center of getting those policies developed and signed by the President. NATIONAL SECURITY – Doug and Judge Hill discuss how climate change played a role in the destabilization of Syria and how climate change was a threat multiplier in Syria. We discuss the current policies of President Trump and Secretary of Defense, General Mattis’, recent encouraging statements on the threat of climate change. WHAT’S NEXT AT HOOVER – Judge Hill talks about her current work at the Hoover Institution which will help local communities adapt to climate change. THE WHITE HOUSE – Judge Hill describes her experiences on the National Security Council and working for President Obama. She also shares what it’s like to work in the White House and with the public servants dedicated to protecting the United States. INTERNATIONAL ADAPTATION – Judge Hill shares her insight on the state of international adaptation and the proactive approaches of Canada and Australia. In the second segment, I talk with Tim Watkins about President Trump’s disastrous recent climate change Executive orders, that dismantle the Clean Power Rule and also roll back local government adaptation efforts.  It’s a sobering conversation. Links in episode: http://www.hoover.org/profiles/alice-hill http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/326221-trumps-climate-change-order-jeopardizes-our-national http://www.climatecentral.org/news/trump-orders-halt-to-efforts-to-adapt-to-warming-21307 http://www.mitigationleadership.com/pdf/Alice-Chamberlayne-Hill-bio.pdf https://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2015/07/alice-hill-mainstreaming-climate-risks-u-s-government-planning-we-care-deeply/ https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/06/25/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-climate-action-plan Twitter: @HooverInst @Alice_C_Hill Coming up next week on America Adapts, we start a new, recurring segment, Australia Adapts, where I introduce adaptation research Dr. Johanna Nalau from Griffith University, in Queensland, Australia. Johanna will host a semi recurring segment where she talks with adaptation experts working in Australia! America Adapts goes global!  Subscribe now to get this in your podcast inbox! 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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapt's 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 Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

4 Apr 20171h 8min

It’s an Earth Day extravaganza! Earth Day Co-Founder Denis Hayes and climate change icon Bill McKibben visit America Adapts.  This episode is coming out on the same day that President Trump rescinded the climate change rules established under President Obama. Take action by listening to Bill and Denis share their experiences, as they offer advice on what to do next. Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts Denis Hayes, Co-Founder of the original Earth Day and CEO of the Bullitt Foundation HISTORY OF EARTH DAY – Denis describes the original Earth Day in 1970 and the political environment at the time. Denis describes the bi-partisan nature of environmental issues before President Nixon executed his southern strategy, which further split the parties. ENTER CLIMATE CHANGE - Doug and Denis discuss the unique challenges of climate change and how it might have been dealt with on the original Earth Day. Denis explains how climate change was not yet an issue at the first Earth Day, but then through the 70s, a consensus developed among scientists that it was a growing problem. FROM CARTER TO REAGAN - Denis describes working for President Carter running the Federal Solar Research Institute.  Denis describes how science and facts were not as controversial as they are today. Denis describes an ambitious effort to reform the energy sector that was ultimately scrapped when Reagan came to power. EARTH DAY 2020 – Denis and Doug talk about the upcoming 50 year anniversary of Earth Day. THE EMERALD CORRIDOR – Denis talks about his work at the Bullitt Foundation, which seeks to create a sustainable urban corridor in the Pacific Northwest. Doug and Denis discuss adaptation and challenges of planned retreat. In the second segment, I talk with climate change legend, Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org.  BILL MAHER AND CLIMATE CHANGE – Bill discusses his recent appearance on HBO’s Bill Maher show and how these unique opportunities create opportunities to reach a large number of people (and Bill was quite funny on the show). PRESIDENT COAL – Bill discusses what the election of Donald Trump means for progress on climate change. Bill doesn’t spin the situation:  his administration is a pretty devastating development. BIPARTISAN SOLAR – Bill describes the opportunity for legislative agreement through solar power, which polls extremely well in both parties. ADAPTATION AT 350 – Doug and Bill talk adaptation and if it takes away from society needing to focus on carbon mitigation.  Bill says, ““Adapt to that you can’t prevent...but prevent at all cost, that, which you can’t adapt to.’” THE CLIMATE MARCHES ON - Bill discusses the upcoming climate change march on April 29th in locations around the world. We talk about how climate march compliments the science march. YOU AND CLIMATE CHANGE - Bill gives advice on what an individual can do to affect change and how collective action will be the only effective response. . Links in episode: http://www.billmckibben.com/ http://www.bullitt.org/about/staff/ Bill McKibben on the Bill Maher Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V69l7zbFeAk https://350.org/ Twitter: @billmckibben @350 Coming up next week on America Adapts, Judge Alice Hill, of the Hoover Institution. Subscribe now to get this in your podcast inbox! 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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapt's 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 Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

29 Mars 201756min

In an Earth Day 2017 special episode of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Valorie Aquino, Co-Director on the Organizing Committee for the March for Science; Dr. Nancy Knowlton, organizer of the April 21-23rd Earth Optimism Summit; and Dr. Randy Olson, scientist-turned-filmmaker. Now on Spotify! Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts Valorie Aquino, Co-Director of the March for Science THE ORIGINS OF THE MARCH – Valorie explains the origins of the March. Learn what activities are planned during the event and some helpful logistics if you are attending. SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE MARCH – Hear how the March grew from a Reddit post, to its own Facebook page, that within days, exploded in size from a few thousand members to nearly 850,000 members (and growing). Valorie describes how the social media platforms have become a place where supporters introduce themselves and explain why they are inspired by science. THE WORLD MARCHES - Valorie describes how 400 satellite cities, across the planet, have organized to host their own parallel marches. Valorie, a PhD candidate at the University of New Mexico, describes how she got involved in the March and was recruited by the Co-Directors Caroline Weinberg, MD, MPH and Dr. Jonathan Berman, PhD.to take on a leadership role in the organizing committee.   MUCH MORE THAN A PROTEST – Doug and Valorie discuss the goals of the March and how this gathering of scientists and their supporters is a historic event and not a Trump protest rally. We also discuss what happens after the March and how to keep people galvanized to celebrate science and their role in supporting it. In the second segment of the Earth Day themed episode, I talk with Dr. Nancy Knowlton, principal organizer of the Earth Optimism Summit, an April 21-23rd gathering of conservationists that will celebrate success stories in the environmental movement. ADDICTED TO CRISIS - Nancy discusses the origins of the Summit and how, generally, the conservation movement has focused on doom and gloom. The Summit represents an opportunity to celebrate successes in conservation. SHARING SUCCESS STORIES – Over 200 speakers, and 1200 attendees, are scheduled to participate in the summit. Nancy describes the topics covered in the event. THE SUMMIT AND THE MARCH – Nancy describes how the Summit, a year in the making, responded when the spontaneous March for Science overlapped with their event, both DC based. Nancy sees the two efforts as complimentary, both looking to celebrate the role of science in our society. FINAL ANALYSIS WITH RANDY OLSON In the final segment, scientist-turned-filmmaker (and previous podcast guest) Randy Olson comes on to discuss the two events.  DRAWING ON THE FOUR ORGANS THEORY PRESENTED IN HIS FIRST BOOK (Don’t Be Such a Scientist) HE contrasts the two approaches taken in developing the events, with the long planned summit complimenting the organic nature of the March.  Randy also USES HIS SECOND BOOK (Houston, We Have a Narrative) TO discuss how the spontaneous, grass roots March has no driving narrative of what it’s trying to do, and why that actually bodes well for the long term success of the March.  Randy digs into the leadership vacuum in the science universe and how the March might play a role in providing a new narrative for scientists. Don't Be Such a Scientist: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Be-Such-Scientist-Substance/dp/1597265632/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1597265632&pd_rd_r=KMCWMQQJEFTPY4G8VY8J&pd_rd_w=5SSV3&pd_rd_wg=E9PRt&psc=1&refRID=KMCWMQQJEFTPY4G8VY8J Houston, We have a Narrative: https://www.amazon.com/Houston-We-Have-Narrative-Science/dp/022627084X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Links in episode: Valorie Aquino March for Science Earth Optimism Summit Dr. Nancy Knowlton Randy Olson March for Science Facebook Page Twitter: @ScienceMarchDC Coming up next week on America Adapts, Bill McKibben of 350.org! Subscribe now to get this in your podcast inbox! 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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

20 Mars 20171h 11min

Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts In episode 33 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Katharine Mach, Director of Stanford Environment Assessment Facility - Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and former Co-Director of the Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Topics covered: ADAPTATION ON CAMPUS - Doug and Katharine discuss how adaptation is an emerging academic area of study on campus and what sorts of programs are now available to students. HARVARD, STANFORD THEN THE IPCC – Katharine discusses her own academic history and how she was recruited to join the staff of the IPCC. HOLISTIC ADAPTATION - Adaptation requires integrating various disciplines in both research and implementation and Katharine describes her experiences. BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER – Katharine describes ‘synthesis’ and the role it plays in the IPCC process. Learn the inner workings of the IPCC and the challenges of collaborating across cultures and continents. CLIMATEGATE – Doug and Katharine discuss the fall out of the Climategate scandal and what institutional changes it led to and also the challenges of doing sound science on such a highly charged issue. ON THE GROUND IN MOROCCO - Katharine discusses traveling to Marrakesh, Morocco, where the world’s climate community was following up the historic Paris Climate Agreement. She describes landing in Morocco on the day of the US election and talking with representatives from other countries on what the election of Trump meant. MISSION PARIS – Katharine describes the truly historic process behind the Paris climate agreement and what happens next. CHINA STEPPING UP – As the role of the US becomes increasingly uncertain, Doug and Katharine talk about the steps China is taking to mitigate its carbon footprint. CAUTIOUS IPCC - Doug discusses with Katharine the IPCC’s reputation as being too cautious in its models, demonstrating the constraints of a report published once every five years. HIGH AND LOW ADAPTATION – Katharine discusses developing metrics for identifying adaptation actions that factor in future biological and socioeconomic factors. What steps will future societies take to adapt to climate change? ADAPTATION ELEVATOR SPEECH – Katharine discusses her own experiences communicating climate change and adaptation and highlights some of the leading communicators in the field. We also discuss communicating climate change with skeptics, and how skepticism has developed into a truly western phenomenon.   MARCHING FOR SCIENCE – Doug and Katharine briefly discuss the upcoming march for sciencehttps://www.marchforscience.com/ in Washington, DC and the challenges of being apolitical in an increasingly politicized society. ADAPT OR MITIGATE – Katharine weighs in the on the tension between carbon mitigation and the need to adapt to climate impacts today. Key Quotes: “The IPCC is a grand partnership between the governments of the world and the scientists of the world.” Additional Segment: Dan Ackerstein and Tim Watkins join Doug to discuss recent comments by the new Administrator of the EPA, Scott Pruitt. Pruitt, in no uncertain terms, comments that he doesn’t think humans are the major contributors to global warming.  Dan, Tim and Doug discuss the implications of these comments.    Additional Resources: IPCC Report on Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/ Stanford Woods Institute Adaptation Memo https://woods.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/files/PBrief-ClimateResponse-Mach.pdf Dr. Katharine Mach https://woods.stanford.edu/about/woods-faculty/katharine-mach Additional Information on Dr. Mach https://profiles.stanford.edu/katharine-mach Dr. Mach’s CV https://cap.stanford.edu/profiles/viewCV?facultyId=85383&name=Katharine_Mach EPA Adminstrator Scott Pruitt’s comments on global warming: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/09/epa-scott-pruitt-carbon-dioxide-global-warming-climate-change 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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!  Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

14 Mars 20171h 17min

Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts.Now on Spotify! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! On Twitter: @usaadapts Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) In episode 32 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks “Cli-Fi” with Dr. Amy Brady, Senior Editor with the Chicago Review of Books.  Amy just debuted a monthly column dedicated specifically to cli-fi called "Burning Worlds." Doug and Amy cover such diverse topics as: CLI-FI – What is Cli-Fi? Learn the history of this emerging genre of fiction. BURNING WORLDS - Amy describes her new monthly column focusing on this emerging field and what she hopes to accomplish with the column. AUTHOR AS CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVIST – Amy explains the backgrounds of various Cli-Fi authors and how some see their role as inspiring readers to take action on climate change. SCIENCE FICTION OR HIGH ART – Since Cli Fi is such a new area of fiction, it’s unclear if it’s considered just another form of science fiction, or something else. Doug and Amy discuss the controversies associated with the genre. SCIENCE OR SCIENCE FICTION – Doug and Amy discuss the use of sound science in writing Cli-Fi and what responsibilities authors feel in using science in writing fiction. NUCLEAR AGE VERSUS THE CLIMATE AGE – Doug and Amy discuss the parallels between the nuclear age of the 50s and 60s and how that drove science fiction writing and how climate change will influence literature. SCENARIO PLANNING WITH FICTION WRITERS – Doug and Amy discuss the possibility of fiction writers joining adaptation planners and scientists in the scenario planning process, relying on their creative talents to create a likely future scenario. GRAPES OF WRATH – Amy argues that John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath was the original Cli-Fi novel. MUST READ CLI FI AUTHORS – Amy gives her suggestions on Cli Fi authors. She identifies books for new readers or for the robust consumers of fiction.  Additional Segment(starts at 55:45 into podcast):  Dr. Molly Cross (previous guest!) and Darren Long from the Wildlife Conservation Society come on for a short discussion to promote the call for proposals for the Adaptation Fund, one of the first granting programs focusing on climate adaptation. They discuss deadlines, strategies for applying and examples of previous grantees. We also briefly discuss the Atlanta Falcons historic collapse in the Super Bowl (Darren is a big Falcons fan). Additional Resources: Dr. Amy Brady https://chireviewofbooks.com/author/dramybrady/ Burning World Column https://chireviewofbooks.com/2017/02/08/the-man-who-coined-cli-fi-has-some-reading-suggestions-for-you/ Cli Fi resources: http://cli-fi.net/ and eco-fiction.com. Essays that provide quick overviews of the genre: http://www.salon.com/2014/10/26/the_rise_of_climate_fiction_when_literature_takes_on_global_warming_and_devastating_droughts/ https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/08/climate-fiction-margaret-atwood-literature/400112/ Anti Cli-Fi:  emerging as a conservative rebuttal to clifi's more progressive stance on climate change: https://thinkprogress.org/the-untapped-value-of-clifi-shakespeare-passover-supergirl-and-game-of-thrones-5344df553732#.lb0man9di Wildlife Conservation Society’s Adaptation Fund http://wcsclimateadaptationfund.org/program-information 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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapt's 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 Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

6 Mars 20171h 15min

In episode 31 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with CNN’s John Sutter! John is an award winning opinion journalist at CNN who focuses on climate change with his program Two Degrees.  Doug and John cover such diverse topics as: Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Write a Review! Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!)   MARSHALL ISLANDS SEA LEVEL RISE - John describes his story on sea level rise in the Marshall Islands. John discusses how he used innovative media tools such as Snapchat to tell the story how climate change poses extreme risks to this island chain.   PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT - Doug and John discuss the Paris Climate Agreement and how it inspired John to develop the Two Degrees program.    THE HOCKEY STICK - Doug and John also discuss the 20 anniversary of climatologist Michael Mann’s hockey stick research.   CLIMATE IN RURAL AMERICA - John discusses his groundbreaking story where he visited Woodward, Oklahoma as he went on a funny and sometimes frustrating journey to try to identify citizens who actually believed climate change was happening. THE OTHER PEOPLE - John explains the challenges of interviewing people you do not agree with and the role of trust in these conversations. CLIMATE AS HEALTH - We discuss climate change as a public health issue. CLIMATE SINCE THE DUST BOWL - John describes talking with citizens of Woodward, Oklahoma and how historic events like the Dust Bowl influenced their perceptions on how humans can impact nature. CLIMATE CREATIONIST - John describes a conversation with a climate skeptic and young earth creationist who also installed solar panels on his property. WHICH WAY MARSHALL ISLANDERS?  We discuss climate change mitigation versus adaptation and how John’s experiences in the Marshall Islands has influenced his perspective on this issue. FROM THE PACIFIC TO ARKANSAS - We learn about climate refugees from the Marshall Islands who have relocated to Springdale, Arkansas. ANALYSIS - Tim Watkins comes on for a brief conversation dissecting the conversation with John Sutter. Doug and Tim also discuss how America Adapts will talk about how adaptation can be a pathway to educate, inspire and motive people to reduce their carbon footprint.   Additional Resources: John Sutter http://www.cnn.com/profiles/john-d-sutter Two Degrees program on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/specials/opinions/two-degrees John’s groundbreaking visit to Oklahoma here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/03/opinions/sutter-climate-skeptics-woodward-oklahoma/index.html Opinion: Common ground with climate skeptics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16_IupUxG8M   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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapt's 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 Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! On Twitter: @usaadapts Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

28 Feb 20171h 28min

In episode 30 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Suzanne Perdeaux, Climate Change Researcher at the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR).  Doug also talks with Dan Ackerstein about how federal agencies might pivot from emphasizing mitigation of carbon emissions to focus solely on adaptation. Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Listen here. Now on Spotify! On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! In the main interview, Doug and Suzanne cover the following topics: What is OCCIAR and its role in adaptation planning across the region and country. What are the unique climate change impacts in Canada. We learn about the different sectors impacted by climate change and how OCCIAR is assisting these sectors in adaptation planning. Suzanne is a multi-year, award winning young professional and we learn how climate change has influenced her career choices. Suzanne discusses how one becomes an adaptation professional, from her undergrad and graduate school experiences. We discuss the first of its kind Climate Change Master’s program at University of Waterloo. We discuss how millennials are inspired to act on climate change and what are some career and school opportunities.  Suzanne discusses how she wants to make adaptation relatable to a younger generation and her role in mentoring those interested in joining this field.  We finish by discussing the role social media plays in younger professionals communicating science and staying connected with peers. It is a great conversation and inspiring to hear Canada playing such a leadership role in the emerging field of adaptation! EPA becomes the “Environmental Adaptation Agency”? In the final segment of the podcast Doug talks with Dan Ackerstein about a recent article that highlights how federal agencies are scrubbing climate change from their web sites. The article also describes how some agencies might pivot from addressing climate change through mitigation of carbon emissions, to focusing solely on adapting to impacts.   We discuss how this approach could split climate change activists into two camps:  mitigation and adaptation. Doug states, “Unless we deal with mitigation, none of us will be able to control how we adapt to climate change.”   Additional Resources: Suzanne Perdeaux is a Climate Change Researcher at the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR) in Sudbury, Ontario, where she provides communication and research support on climate impacts and adaptation. Ontario’s Climate Change Strategy: https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/4928/climate-change-strategy-en.pdf Climate Change Adaptation Community of Practice:  https://ccadaptation.ca OCCIAR: www.climateontario.ca Masters of Climate Change program: https://uwaterloo.ca/geography-environmental-management/graduate/master-climate-change Mashable article on adaptation at Federal Agencies. http://mashable.com/2017/02/03/trump-epa-climate-website-changes/#EZ24P6TuZkqw   More information on Dan Ackerstein Http://www.ackersteinsustainability.com   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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by subscribing via PayPal! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! On Twitter: @usaadapts Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

21 Feb 20171h 12min

In episode 29 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Keren Bolter, Climate, Policy & GeoSpatial Analyst at the South Florida Regional Planning Council. Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Listen here. On Google Play here. Please share on Facebook! Now on Spotify! Donate to America Adapts (We are now a tax deductible charitable organization!) Keren talks about her experiences talking sea level rise with actor Jack Black on the climate change TV series, Years of Living Dangerously (he’s apparently funny in person too – hear about his crank calls to the Florida governor’s office). Keren digs into the fundamentals of sea level rise and it’s not as simple as it sounds. Basic message:  the seas are rising, some areas more than others. She also explains why south Florida has a higher level of sea level rise than other regions of the country (it involves water traffic jams). “We’re setting off these sea level rise feedback loops. Things are snowballing and snowballing.” Keren also describes her experiences doing a Tedex talk. We also hear about the project Keren is leading, literally going out and measuring sea level rise at the neighborhood level. Keren, armed with a ruler, goes into different modeled areas of south Florida to see if the actual flooding aligns with the models. We also learn how the communities in south Florida are responding to increased flooding and how the affluence of a neighborhood impacts what infrastructure is in place to divert flooding.  Yes, environmental justice comes into our discussion. Keren describes how she’s recruited her own kids to help communicate the topic of sea level rise and shares other examples of clever sea level rise themed science communication techniques.  We also hear what an individual can do to address sea level rise. Although Keren studies one of the most powerful impacts of climate change, she’s actually very optimistic about her work and how local communities can address this threat. In addition, we discuss the economic and tourist impacts of increased flooding and Keren describes the aggressive planning by south Florida governments to address sea level rise. Yes, it’s a fascinating and funny episode, please have a listen!   Additional Resources: Dr. Bolter’s Groundtruthing project (map with locations): https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1d5Dpykq3M7vRolgq8BPY3BJ2ArE&ll=25.895186087073757%2C-80.15447169999999&z=15 Floating above the rising tides debate: Keren Bolter at TEDxMiami 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEhx-Q43Tfo Building Coastal Flood Hazard Resiliency with a Regional Tools Buffet http://sfregionalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Council-Mtg-11_14.pdf?lbisphpreq=1 Sea Level Rise Impact: Communicating the Risks https://youtu.be/Ws7ZqgWL1fM 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.” Finally, yes, most of your favorite podcasts are supported by listeners just like you! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapt's 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 Itunes.   America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! On Twitter: @usaadapts Subscribe to America Adapts on Itunes Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com .

14 Feb 20171h 4min