 |
America Adapts the Climate Change PodcastAuthor: Doug Parsons
A changing climate presents humanity with only one option: adapt. Join your host, Doug Parsons for America's leading podcast on climate change - America Adapts! Each episode, Doug sits down with scientists, activists, policymakers, and journalists to discuss the tough questions facing this country and the world as we confront humanity's greatest challenge. Question your assumptions, refresh your perspective, and become part of the climate movement that will determine our planet's future, right here on the America Adapts podcast. Language: en Genres: Natural Sciences, Nature, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
An Uninsurable Country: What Rising Climate Risk Means for Homeowners with NRDC
Episode 249
Monday, 16 March, 2026
In episode 249 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons takes a deep dive into the growing climate-driven insurance crisis reshaping housing and communities across the United States. Doug first speaks with Rob Moore and Alfonso Pating of the Natural Resources Defense Council about their new reports on the nation's emerging insurability crisis—why premiums are rising, insurers are retreating from high-risk areas, and what state policies can do to reduce risk and keep homes insurable. Then filmmaker George Siegal joins the show to discuss his documentary Built to Last: Buyer Beware, which reveals how many American homes are simply not built to withstand the disasters they face. Together, these conversations connect the dots between climate risk, insurance markets, and the way we build our communities—showing how insurance is becoming one of the clearest warning signals of climate change in action. https://www.americaadapts.org/episodes/an-uninsurable-country-what-rising-climate-risk-means-for-homeowners Experts in this Episode: Rob Moore - Director of the Climate Adaptation Division at NRDC Alfonso Pating - Global financial regulations specialist with NRDC. George Siegal - Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Director, Producer and owner of Move the World Films Key Themes Covered in This Episode What an "insurability crisis" is—and why it's emerging across the U.S. Why premiums are rising, policies are disappearing, and insurers are pulling back What makes a home insurable: risk, location, and construction The role of states in shaping insurance markets, building codes, and land use How FAIR Plans work and why they're rapidly expanding Whether FAIR Plans can become tools for resilience, not just backstops How insurance markets are acting as a signal of climate risk Why many homes are not built to withstand today's disasters The tension between affordability and resilient construction What this all means for the future of housing and adaptation For Educators & Students How insurance markets are responding to climate risk The role of states in shaping insurance, building codes, and land use The connection between housing, affordability, and resilience Insurance as an economic signal of climate change Professors are welcome to assign this episode or excerpts in syllabi Who Should Listen to This Episode Climate adaptation and resilience professionals State and local officials focused on housing, risk, and planning Urban planners and developers working in high-risk areas Insurance and finance professionals tracking climate risk Climate communicators and educators explaining these shifts Transcript of Rob Moore and Alfonso Pating interview avaible here. Transcript of George Siegal interview available here. This episode was generously sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here! Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Donate to America Adapts Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: An Uninsurable Country https://www.nrdc.org/resources/uninsurable-country https://www.nrdc.org/resources/insurance-fair-future https://builttolastmovie.com/ Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Android Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Follow/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts 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 Apple Podcasts. Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts ! America Adapts on Facebook! Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we're also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com
