Smart Growth America’s Post

Super proud of the work that Incubate Neighborhood Center in Fort Pierce, Florida is doing to address the climate crisis in their highest climate risk areas. Planners, developers, insurance companies, and other community resilience leaders have a responsibility to safeguard local businesses as regional centers grow rapidly and as threats of storms and flooding intensify. Learn more in this 3min video by Smart Growth America and Ecodeo. 👏👏👏 Joseph Mendonca, Teresa Bishop, & team!  

Announcing Shelterforce's new Under the Lens Series—Dual Crises: Housing in a Changing Climate 🔍 In an era of rapid #climatechange, the #housing sector faces unprecedented challenges. How do we ensure safe, affordable housing in a world of rising seas, extreme heat, and intensifying natural disasters? Our new series delves into this critical intersection of climate and housing. We'll explore: • New funding for the field from the Inflation Reduction Act (#IRA) • Communities struggling to rebuild after wildfire • Managed retreat as a strategy to limit flood damage • What makes green building • ... And more! View the series 👉 : https://lnkd.in/ePUHsC8f Through in-depth reporting and analysis, we'll uncover the complexities of these dual crises and spotlight the changemakers working towards solutions. Follow along as we release new articles over the next few weeks. #UndertheLens #ClimateAction #HousingJustice #SustainableDevelopment

🌍 Climate Week kicks off in New York! At Greene Economics, we “think globally,” but act locally. This week, we’re highlighting our work in Washington State to help clients address and #mitigate climate risk. 🌧️ As we enter the rainy season in Western Washington, riverside communities face increased challenges. Check out this dramatic footage of last December’s atmospheric river and its devastating flooding: https://lnkd.in/dfB34hD3 Flooding damages buildings, destroys crops, and disrupts access to work. In King County, such events are becoming more frequent and intense. 🌊 We’re working on a project to assess the risk of levee breaches and flooding along the Skykomish, Raging, Snoqualmie, and Tolt Rivers. Our findings will help planners protect vulnerable communities with targeted infrastructure investments. We’re also evaluating the economic impacts on low-income communities and communities of color, who often bear the brunt of flood damage. Pictured below: Flooding pictured from helicopter on the Cedar River in February 2020. (Source: King County) #InfrastructureInvestment #ClimateMitigation #ResilienceBuilding #EnvironmentalJustice  #CommunityPlanning 

I-DIEM is closely monitoring the threat of a potential tropical impact in Florida and the Southeast U.S. late this weekend. While this system may seem minimal to most, it presents significant challenges for marginalized groups and individuals. Lost wages, damage from flooding, and extended power outages can be particularly devastating for those on fixed incomes, living in substandard housing, or without insurance. We continue to champion the needs of those disenfranchised by the growing impacts of climate change and disasters. Learn more about our work and support our efforts. #DisasterEquity #ClimateChange #Disasters Equity Response Teams: https://loom.ly/wkAtDjI

🚨 New Report Release! 🚨 Rebuild by Design proudly presents the "Atlas of Disaster: New Jersey," providing a comprehensive look at the devastating impact of climate disasters across the state from 2011 to 2021. #NewJersey has experienced 14 major federal climate disasters. This report underscores the urgent need for sustainable state-level funding for climate resilience investments. Key findings: Every NJ county faced at least 5 federal disasters between 2001-2011. Total disaster costs exceed $7.2 billion. Bergen County tops post-disaster assistance with $110 million. Discover the proposed funding opportunities and how we can build a safer, more resilient New Jersey. Read here: bit.ly/aodnj #AtlasOfDisaster #AtlasOfDisasterNJ #NewJersey

Looming climate displacement presents a significant challenge: How do we protect millions of Americans from the devastating effects of floods, wildfires, and rising sea levels? Managed retreat and large-scale buyouts are essential, but we aren't moving fast enough. How can we create a more proactive strategy? Explore the article written by experts at New America and share your insights. https://bit.ly/4dlhuQN #ManagedRetreat #Buyouts #ClimateAction #ResilientCommunities

Earlier this week at JCU, Professor Jon Nott, Professor Bob Wasson, Dr. Han She Lim, and Iain Brown shed light on the 2023 Barron River Flood, sparking crucial conversations on climate challenges and community resilience. Here’s what we learned: 1️⃣ Climate change isn't a distant threat; it has already increased the chances of large rain events that can cause major flooding.  2️⃣ Local planning is lagging behind, leaving the community vulnerable as we plan based on historical records rather than future risks. 3️⃣ Infrastructure approaches like levee banks must be approached with caution, especially in areas vulnerable to both riverine and coastal flooding. 4️⃣ JCU is working independently on updated flood modelling, offering hope for smarter planning. Voices in the audience echoed a call for accountability and decisive action. It's a wake-up call for our leaders and our community.

The authors of Project 2025 claim that those working to address climate change are part of “the climate change alarm industry,” which is “harmful to future U.S. prosperity.” In fact, the U.S. economy is booming in part thanks to the climate change initiatives begun under the Inflation Reduction Act.

The climate change threat is staggering: 20 million Americans in need of relocation by 2100... and 4,000 long years to relocate them at our current buyout rate. New America's report outlines a better approach to managed retreat. Discover how we can save lives, reduce costs, and build resilience. https://bit.ly/4dlhuQN #ClimateChange #ManagedRetreat #ResilienceBuilding

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀: 𝗔 𝗦𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Charleston is sinking—quite literally. And as waters rise, the city’s longstanding racial divides are resurfacing. The historic peninsula is a magnet for seven million tourists annually, dazzled by the allure of elegant homes and cobblestone streets. But behind the scenes, a grim story unfolds. Black and low-income residents, whose families have called this city home for generations, are facing intensifying flood threats. Floods come not just with hurricanes but on sunny days—water lapping up from long-buried creeks, pooling in front of homes built on landfill. The science is unyielding: Charleston’s future is waterlogged. And yet, development continues unchecked. We talk of resilience, but who will be able to stay? Local planning favors high-value real estate, ignoring neighborhoods that need the most protection. Federal support may come, but the wait for an inevitable disaster as a catalyst for action is a dangerous gamble. What Charleston and cities like it need is not patchwork solutions. We need bold, coordinated efforts that address both historical injustices and looming environmental calamities. The most vulnerable should not bear the heaviest burden of our inaction. Climate change isn’t just about rising seas; it’s about our moral responsibility. What happens when waters force us to face the truths we’ve buried? It’s time to lift up every community.