Adapt: Climate Change and the Built Environment

Monika and Jessica talk to Abby Ross, the founder of The Resiliency Company, focused on helping communities adapt to climate risk. Abby has used her background as an entrepreneur and experience working with charitable giving to identify the funding gaps holding communities back from fully recovering from natural disasters and find ways to fund those gaps. The Resiliency Company mobilizes the funding, policies, and innovation required to shift markets and minds toward resiliency. Links and articles discussed on the show include the following: The Resiliency Company The Epicenter  The Resilient LA Delta Fund — Rebuilding with Resilience in LA Home · Probable Futures  Construction Costs for a Wildfire Resistant Home, California Edition  Case Study: Adapt  Nature doesn't cause disasters, we do | PreventionWeb

Dena Prastos, CEO and Founder of Indigo River Studios, joins Monika and Jessica to discuss waterfront resilience in NYC and beyond. Indigo River Studios is a women-owned design firm specializing in waterfront infrastructure, climate adaptation, and regulatory innovation. Dena is both a AIA licensed architect and civil engineer. She leads transformative public and private projects across New York and beyond, including work with NYCEDC, the Trust for Governors Island, and the Hudson River Park Trust. Dena chairs the NCARB Futures Collaborative, has served as a guest lecturer at Yale and Columbia, and was the lead author of the architectural chapters for NYC's first-ever Waterfront Code. Episode links: Indigo River Studios - https://indigoriver.com/ Case Study: Wildflower Studios - https://indigoriver.com/portfolio/wildflower-studios/ Book: What if we get it right? By Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/645855/what-if-we-get-it-right-by-ayana-elizabeth-johnson/

Monika and Jessica speak with Boyce Upholt, a writer and "nature critic," about his first book, The Great River: The Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi. They discuss the long history of American efforts to control and corral the Mississippi River, the engineering feats that have gone into that project, and some of the consequences of those actions.  Links discussed in the show include: Boyce Upholt The Great River a book by Boyce Upholt - Bookshop.org US Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane - Book Review by Bookishelf Ancient Courses: Harold Fisk's Meander Maps of the Mississippi River (1944) — The Public Domain Review America's Achilles' Heel: the Mississippi River's Old River Control Structure | Weather Underground Natural Solutions for Mississippi River Flooding Flood: How climate change is making extreme rain more frequent and dangerous.  

Monika Serrano and Jessica Mederson speak with Chuck Chaitovitz, Vice President for environmental affairs and sustainability at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They discuss the work being done by the Chamber as well as the Chamber's foundation to help businesses improve resiliency in the face of climate change. Chuck brings to the Chamber twenty-five years of experience focused on environment and energy issues, working with companies on strategies to improve their bottom line and competitive positioning. At the Chamber, Chaitovitz is launching a new environment and sustainability capability to give businesses the tools they need to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Episode links: Building Resilience Conference | U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation The Economic Benefits of Investing in Climate Resilience | U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition Letter on 2025 Resilience and Preparedness Priorities | U.S. Chamber of Commerce  

  Nicole DeNamur joins the podcast this week, along with co-hosts Jessica Mederson and Monika Serrano, they  talk about emerging state and city climate-related laws, climate-aligned contracts and leases, and how they intersect with issues like water shortages, indoor air quality, occupant health and other climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.  Nicole DeNamur (she/her), J.D., Hon. AIA, WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel Ambassador, LEED Green Associate, is the founder of Climate Aligned Law, a climate-focused law firm, and Sustainable Strategies, a consulting firm dedicated to creating healthy, inclusive spaces through sustainability. With over a decade of experience litigating construction and insurance matters, Nicole brings a rare combination of legal expertise and deep knowledge of the real estate and sustainability sectors. She helps clients navigate building performance standards, draft climate-aligned contracts and leases, and develop practical, risk-aware solutions that support ESG goals. Nicole also teaches sustainable development at the University of Washington and environmental health at the Boston Architectural College. She has been recognized as an Honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects (Seattle, 2021), named Educator of the Year by the International WELL Building Institute (2022), and honored as an Outstanding Voice of Pride by the Puget Sound Business Journal (2023). Episode links: The Chancery Lane Project: https://chancerylaneproject.org/ Responsible Contracting Project:  https://www.responsiblecontracting.org/ COGFx Study:  https://thecogfxstudy.com/ WELL Building Standard:  https://www.wellcertified.com/ Healthy Buildings book:  https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674278363 There are no accidents book - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/There-Are-No-Accidents/Jessie-Singer/9781982129682

Carolyn Kousky, Acting Chief Economist at Environmental Defense Fund and founder of Insurance for Good joins Jessica Mederson and Monika Serrano, to discuss the current and future status of home insurance, the relationship between insurance at the individual level vs. community, what home owners can do today and much more.  Dr. Kousky's research examines multiple aspects of climate risk management and policy approaches for increasing resilience. She is the author of Understanding Disaster Insurance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future and an editor of A Blueprint for Coastal Adaptation. She has published numerous articles, reports, and book chapters on the economics and policy of climate risk and disaster finance and she is routinely cited in media outlets. Episode links: Dr. Kousky's bio - https://www.carolynkousky.com/about IBHS Fortified program - https://fortifiedhome.org/      

Mónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to three entrepreneurs about their solutions to problems the construction industry faces on the job site, particurarly in the face of extreme heat, poor air conditions, and lack of water. They first talk to Zachary Kiehl, CEO and principal engineer of VigiLife, a connected health and safety technology company dedicated to protecting and enriching the lives of individuals at risk through innovative solutions. Then Mónika and Jessica speak with Tracie Wagman, CEO of ColdVest, a company dedicated to expanding its life-saving cooling technology worldwide. Finally, Jessica and Mónika talk to Andrew Crimston, creator of WashBox, a tool wash system that uses its own recycled water to provide tool washing for ALL construction trades. Links to their companies and other issues discussed on the show are below: WASHBOX | Sustainable Tool Wash Technology for Trades ColdVest | Fast, Effective Heatstroke Relief | Portable Emergency Treatment Our Company | VigiLife A business case for protecting workers from extreme heat - Fast Company Research Promotes Deeper Understanding of Impact of Heat Stress Mitigation Measures in Construction | Insights | Turner Construction Company High Temperatures Increase Workers' Injury Risk, Whether They're Outdoors or Inside The Heat Will Kill You First - Wikipedia

Jessica Mederson and Mónika Serrano sit down with Jane Gilbert, Miami-Dade County's Chief Heat Officer. Together, they dive into the growing threat of extreme heat for cities, its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, and how communities leaders can respond through thoughtful design and policy. Jane shares how her groundbreaking role has shaping heat mitigation strategies—from education strategies to tree canopy initiatives—and what is next. Links: www.Heat.Gov   www.miamidade.gov/heat  Earth Day: Fastest-Warming U.S. Cities and States | Climate Central Fast Company: Meet the 7 Chief Heat Officers who are making their cities more resilient

Jessica Mederson and Mónika Serrano speak with Julie Manning, Global Head of Climate and Carbon Strategy at La Salle Investments. This conversation explores if real estate investors are factoring climate risk into their decision-making, what resilience actions are taking place, the challenges of evaluating climate risk across portfolios while considering the unique characteristics of buildings and surrounding communities, and more. Links: ULI, LaSalle Physical Climate Risks and Underwriting Practices in Assets and Portfolios ULI, LaSalle Provide Framework for Real Estate Industry to Assess Climate Risk America Adapts: The Wild Wild West of Climate Modeling  

Drought. Flooding. Wildfires. These are all risks our communities and built environment face and these risks are increasing as our planet warms. Beavers, nature's engineers and a keystone species, can help us fight all of these risks. Beavers are central to water management (reducing flooding and droughts and mitigating wildfires) because of how they handle water: they slow it, spread it, store it, and sink it.  Mónika and Jessica interview Ben Goldfarb, author of Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter. They discuss beavers' past, present, and future - their connection to European settlement of North America, present-day approaches to beaver activities, and how beavers can help protect our communities in the future. Links and resources mentioned in the show: Ben Goldfarb Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter a book by Ben Goldfarb Crossings | Ben Goldfarb | W. W. Norton & Company Beaver Institute Management, Research and Education Microsoft Word - ECONW Escalante Beaver Values Report 0211.doc  

Jessica Mederson and Mónika Serrano speak with Alison Sant, author of the book From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities. They discuss how empowered local communities have created and led valuable efforts towards climate adaptation. From small, actionable steps to large-scale collective efforts, our conversation with Alison highlights stories of communities overcoming challenges, building strength, and fostering hope. From New Orleans to Minnesota and across the United States, this episode emphasizes the importance of collaboration, grassroots initiatives, and incremental progress in creating a resilient and thriving future for all. Our listeners get 20% off the book From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities with the code GROUND. Episode links: Alison Sant The Power Broker book Parking Day 34th Avenue story Minneapolis Bicycling NYTimes: Congestion pricing NYC 

Mónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to Greg Lindsey of Alpha Geo to explore how investors evaluate risks and opportunities in the face of climate change and climate migration. We also discuss public versus private investments, what the money follows, and the challenges individuals and communities face when considering climate migration. Topics and resources discussed include: AlphaGeo: AI-Powered Geospatial Predictive Analytics Columbia University Managed Retreat Conference The People Fleeing Climate Disasters Are Going To Transform the American South | Portside NJDEP| Blue Acres | Blue Acres What Is a Minsky Moment? Definition, Causes, History, and Examples Column | Climate change is transforming homeownership in the U.S. - Washington Post 1 in 10 Homebuyers & Sellers Say Climate Risk is Main Reason For Move: Redfin Survey - Redfin Real Estate News

Mónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to Holly Neber,  CEO of AEI Consultants, and chair of the development of the recently approved ASTM International Standard Guide for the assessment of physical climate risk and resilience for commercial properties known as the Property Resilience Assessment (PRA). We talk about the development of this new resilience standard, Holly's work as an emissary from commercial real estate finance to the resilience/adaptation community, and the processes of identifying and managing risk during purchase, development or financing of a commercial real estate asset. ASTM Property Resilience Assessment Resilience Standards and the Business of Risk AEI Consultants NYTimes: Rising Seas Threaten An American Institution America Adapts: The Biggest Short: Climate Change meets the 30-year home mortgage with Dr. Jesse Keenan America Adapts: The Wild Wild West of Climate Modeling GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate GARP Climate Risk Podcast    

Mónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to Jim Schneider, Executive Director of PCI Mountain States, a chapter of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) covering Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. They discuss concrete's role in increasing the built environment's resiliency to climate change as well as the greenhouse gases that are emitted in manufacturing concrete. They also cover some of the innovations being made in how concrete is manufactured and used.  Links and resources discussed on this episode include: Jim's LInkedIn page: (11) Jim Schneider, LEED AP | LinkedIn PCI Precast Concrete and Sustainable Design: Precast Concrete and Sustainable Design (pci.org) PCI Precast Protects Life: Precast Protects Life (pci.org) JIm's new podcast (A Pessimist's Guide to Optimism): A Pessimist's Guide to Optimism Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts Jerry Schneider Orchestra: Jerry Schneider : Cy Pfannenstein Music Service, For all your old time and polka music favorites (cysmusic.com)  

Mónika and Jessica talk to Amy Macdonald, Founder & Principal of Ripple Resilience. Formerly a principal and founder of Thornton Tomasetti's Resilience Practice, her career spans four continents, with leadership roles responding to catastrophes including Sandy, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and earthquakes in New Zealand and Nepal. Amy discusses how her experience in disaster recovery has led to her career working with clients to incorporate resilient design, nature-based solutions, and emergency preparations in order to be resilient in the face of climate change and extreme weather events.  Amy explains the benefits of working with a resiliency consultant when working on any projects in the built environment--and the importance of consulting with such an expert early in the process. Amy also discusses how lessons learned from protecting buildings from earthquakes--such as functional recovery and performance-based design--can be applied to the built environment when designing the built environment to be resilient to climate change and extreme weather events.  Links and resources related to this interview include: Ripple Resilience: Ripple Resilience LLC Functional recovery post-earthquake: NIST-FEMA Special Publication FEMA P-2090/NIST SP-1254, Recommended Options for Improving the Built Environment for Post-Earthquake Reoccupancy and Functional Recovery Time Using performance-based design to increase resiliency to climate change: Performance-Based Design Brings Resiliency to the Built Environment | Engineered Systems Magazine (esmagazine.com)

Jessica Mederson and Monika Serrano speak to Alice C. Hill, an expert in resilience to catastrophic risks, having served as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Resilience Policy on the National Security Council. She led policy development on natural disasters, national security, and climate change. Previously, as senior counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, she developed the department's first climate adaptation plan. Currently a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Hill has authored works on climate resilience and serves on the boards of the Environmental Defense Fund and Munich Re U.S.-based companies. Links: Alice Hill's books:  Building a Resilient Tomorrow and  The Fight for Climate after COVID-19 Fifth National Climate Assessment (Adaptation) NIBS Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves study Swiss grandmothers legal case: (BBC) and (Reuters) Peruvian Farmer sues RWE The Ostrich Paradox: Why We Underprepare for Disasters AIA Hazard and Climate Risk: a user's guide and form for acknowledging risk    

Jessica Mederson and Monika Serrano close the first season speaking with Dr. Anne Cope, Chief Engineer at IBHS, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, a nonprofit supported by property insurers, reinsurers, and affiliated companies. Anne leads the engineering team, researching the performance of homes and businesses in hurricanes, wildfires, severe thunderstorms, and hailstorms. We talk  about her role at the National Institute of BUilding Sciences, building codes, affordability, return on investment from resilience, the role of insurers in adaptation and more. Resources: IBHS - https://ibhs.org/ IBHS Understanding Building Codes - https://ibhs.org/building-codes/ NIBS Mitigation Saves study - https://www.nibs.org/projects/natural-hazard-mitigation-saves-2019-report NIBS Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council - https://www.nibs.org/mmc  

Mónika and Jessica interview Professor Michael Gerrard, founder and director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. We discuss issues such as building codes and FEMA flood maps, government regulations that could be used to improve resiliency in the built environment but only if communities use the latest versions of these regulations, which are beginning to incorporate future climate modeling--not just historical climate date. We also discuss potential liability for parties to a construction project, particularly design professionals. And we come back to one of our favorite topics--extreme heat. Resources and stories discussed include: Sabin Center for Climate Change Law: Sabin Center for Climate Change Law (columbia.edu) Legal pathways for deep decarbonization: https://lpdd.org/ FEMA's BRIC program: https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities Renewable energy legal defense initiative: https://climate.law.columbia.edu/content/renewable-energy-legal-defense-initiative Skanska's Hurricane Sally lawsuit: https://www.enr.com/articles/53351-skanska-found-negligent-for-damages-from-breakaway-barges Texas's efforts to ban protecting workers from extreme heat: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/23/greg-abbott-texas-governor-bill-water-breaks-heatwave Arizona renter's right to air conditioning: https://landlordtenantresource.com/arizona-renters-rights-air-conditioning/#google_vignette      

Jessica and Monika speak with Dr. Cassandra Smith and David Keller, from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, US Department of State. Their Climate Security and Resilience program works to understand and generate awareness of outposts' vulnerability to natural hazards and to enhance their resilience in preparation for potential natural hazards. We learn how they analyze and act on climate hazards that may affect diplomats outposts, how these assets have been affected, what the future outlook looks like, and more.  US Department of State Magazine: Climate Security and Resilience Program Check out the ADAPT: Climate Change and the Built Environment podcast website here.  

Mónika and Jessica discuss living in New Orleans with Ashley Robinson, a construction lawyer with a civil engineering degree who lives and works in New Orleans. We discuss living in New Orleans post Katrina – from work being done to prepare for future hurricanes to the multiple rounds of litigation after a major disaster. Ashley addresses the problems with getting home insurance in the face of increasing extreme weather issues and the roles building standards, green infrastructure, and individuals need to play to ensure that New Orleans can be a resilient, insurable city going forward. Resources and links discussed include: ASCE Report Post-Katrina: https://sp360.asce.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Merchandise/Product-Details/productId/263882635 Ongoing litigation over Brad Pitt's Make it Right Project: https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/04/17/make-it-right-lawsuit-payout-brad-pitt-foundation-new-orleans-hurricane-katrina New Orleans' Green Infrastructure:  https://ready.nola.gov/green-infrastructure/ From the Ground Up: From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities - Kindle edition by Sant, Alison. Arts & Photography Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.  

Mónika and Jessica interview Jason Glaser, CEO of La Isla network, an occupational health research organization and consultancy dedicated to protecting workers in a warming world. La Isla Network studies the effects of heat on workers and advices organizations on how to adapt to extreme heat while protecting workers health and staying productive. We talk about the risk that extreme heat poses to the construction workforce, and the industry as a whole, and what can be done about it.  Resources and links discussed include:  Temperature conversion:  26 celsius = 78.8 farenheit Documentary - HEAT-SHIELD Film Showing the Effect of Climate Change on Manual Laborers: https://laislanetwork.org/release-of-heat-shield-film-showing-the-effect-of-climate-change-on-manual-laborers/ Time Article - Chronic Kidney Disease Is Poised to Become the Black Lung of Climate Change: https://time.com/6303020/chronic-kidney-disease-climate-change/  The Guardian Article - France investigates deaths of four Champagne workers in heatwave: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/france-investigates-deaths-of-champagne-workers-in-heatwave Vice Article - The Silent Epidemic Behind Nicaragua's Rum: https://www.vice.com/en/article/qkxv7v/the-silent-epidemic-behind-nicaraguas-rum

Mónika and Jessica interview Susanne DesRoches, Vice President, Clean and Resilient Buildings, at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), about how New York is modernizing its building stock to be both sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change. This work involves not just new builds, but also updating existing buildings and communities to prepare for our future climate. Susanne describes three specific projects NYSERDA is focusing on to address resilience in the built environment. Resources and links discussed include:  New York State Climate Impacts Assessment: New York State Climate Impacts Assessment – Understanding and Preparing for Our Changing Climate (nysclimateimpacts.org) NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence: Buildings of Excellence Competition - NYSERDA NYSERDA IRA: Inflation Reduction Act - NYSERDA Book Recommendation: Not Too Late (nottoolateclimate.com)  

Mónika and Jessica talk to Dr. Klaus Jacob, geophysicist and Emeritus Research Professor at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Dr. Jacob takes us back to basics, defining climate mitigation and adaptation, discussing synergies between sustainability and resilience (renewable energy!) and some of the challenges of adapting to climate change (can flood walls have unintended consequences?). Also, can building retrofits incorporate climate resilience? How urgent is adapting buildings and infrastructure to a changing climate? Dr. Jacob's has taught graduate courses in Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Urban Resilience at Columbia's Earth Institute, and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). He served on NYC Mayor's New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC, 2008- 2019), and U.S. HUD's post-Sandy Competition "Rebuild by Design" (RBD); prepared climate change adaptation plans for the New York MTA; and coauthored the U.S. National Academy's report on "Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation". TIME magazine named him one of globally 50 "people who mattered in 2012" for forecasting the impacts of a SANDY-like coastal storm on New York City, just one year before hurricane SANDY eerily verified his forecasts. More recently he has consulted with non-profit organizations and helps local governments and communities to address their climate change adaptation challenges.  

Mónika and Jessica talk to Shalini Vajjhala, the Executive Director of Pre Collective and a nationally recognized infrastructure and climate resilience expert with more than 15 years of experience designing, funding, and financing community-centered resilient infrastructure solutions. Shalini discusses the questions she likes to ask every client at the beginning of a project, the different "colors of money" that can be available for a project, and the ways in which adaptation and preventative healthcare struggle from the same problem–it's hard to measure successes when they're measured by problems avoided.  Over the last decade, Shalini founded and led the design firm re:focus partners and co-founded The Atlas, an online platform for local government collaboration and innovation. Previously, Shalini held multiple positions at the US EPA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She is currently a Board Member of Smart Growth America and a nonresident senior fellow with the Brookings Institution Metro Program. Shalini holds a B.Arch in Architecture and PhD in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Resources and links discussed include:  Pre Collective: About – Pre Collective The Atlas: Atlas - a free online community for local government leaders (the-atlas.com) Hoboken and Flooding Disasters Avoided: A Climate Change Success Story? Look at Hoboken. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)  

This trailer sets the stage for the first season of Adapt: Climate Change and the Built Environment, a podcast devoted to discussing the importance of, challenges of, and issues to address in incorporating resiliency into the built environment in the face of climate change. Hosted by Monika Serrano, a construction resilience manager, and Jessica Mederson, a construction and business litigator. Music for the trailer and the podcast provided by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net.