In episode 232 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons has a candid conversation with Laurie Schoeman , former senior advisor on climate resilience in the Biden White House. Laurie offers a rare, unfiltered look inside the administration’s climate resilience efforts. Laurie helped coordinate adaptation strategy across agencies. While she didn’t lead the National Climate Resilience Framework, she had a front-row seat to its evolution—and its compromises. She speaks openly about what worked, what fe...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 232
In episode 231 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons speaks with Robin Keegan , a nationally recognized leader in disaster recovery, resilience, and climate adaptation. With senior roles at FEMA and HUD during the Biden-Harris Administration—and a pivotal role in Louisiana’s post-Katrina recovery—Robin brings unmatched insight into how federal recovery systems work, and more importantly, how they fail. As the current administration actively undermines the government’s ability to prepare for and ...
Jun 15, 2025•42 min
In this short solo episode 230 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons shares some behind-the-scenes updates on America Adapts . Doug reflects on the recent all-Spanish episode in partnership with World Wildlife Fund, recaps his visit to the Climate Connect conference in DC, and previews upcoming guests like Robin Keegan and Laurie Schoeman. He also shares details about his summer travels to the Managed Retreat Conference in New York and the Schoodic Institute in Maine. Plus, hear about an excitin...
Jun 02, 2025•4 min•Ep. 230
En el episodio 229 de America Adapts , presentamos una edición especial del pódcast: nuestro primer episodio completamente en español. Este es un hito emocionante, ya que ampliamos el alcance del programa para llegar a audiencias hispanohablantes en todo el mundo. Este episodio retoma el trabajo innovador de la iniciativa ManglarIA del Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza (WWF, por sus siglas en inglés), que en español significa “IA para los manglares”, un proyecto apoyado por Google.org, el brazo f...
May 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 229
In episode 228 of America Adapts , host Doug Parsons speaks with Victoria Salinas , Senior Fellow at the Climate Resilience Institute at the University of Miami and former Deputy Administrator for Resilience at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Biden administration. Victoria shares her journey into federal service, including her decision to join FEMA at a critical juncture for the agency. She reflects on FEMA’s traditionally reactive role and her efforts to reshape it into...
May 05, 2025•50 min•Ep. 228
In episode 227 of America Adapts , we are re-releasing one of the more popular episodes of the podcast — my interview with Madison Condon , a law professor at Boston University. In our original conversation, we explored the critical role climate modeling plays in climate adaptation, including: what climate models can — and can’t — do; the concept of the “climate industrial complex”; legal liability for inaccurate climate projections and the role of climate analytics firms like First Street Found...
Apr 12, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 227
In episode 226 of America Adapts , Dr. Susanne Moser , a world leading expert in climate adaptation returns to discuss a new report she’s co-authored, The Tasks of Now: Toward a New Era in Climate Resilience Building . We explore how adaptation strategies have evolved—and why we need to shift from incremental approaches to truly transformational action. Susi makes a compelling case for “multisolving”—tackling climate, social, and economic challenges together—and outlines the urgent need for bett...
Mar 31, 2025•59 min•Ep. 226
In episode 225 of America Adapts , we explore flood risk disclosure—a simple yet powerful climate adaptation tool that helps homebuyers avoid financial disaster while building more resilient communities. As climate change worsens flooding and federal support for resilience efforts declines, some states are stepping up with smart policies to protect homeowners before disaster strikes. I’m joined by Joel Scata from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to discuss the push for stronger flood...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 225
In episode 224 of America Adapts we’re diving into climate change and human mobility—how rising seas, extreme weather, and disasters are forcing communities to relocate and what that means for policy and planning. Joining the podcast is Dr. Eric Chu , who’s helping lead a new webinar series (where America Adapts was the moderator) on this topic with CCST (California Council on Science and Technology), the UC Disaster Resilience Network , and the UC Berkeley Center for Security in Politics . We’l...
Feb 24, 2025•31 min•Ep. 224
In episode 223 of America Adapts , we explore disaster resilience and climate adaptation through four expert interviews. We start with Anita Van Breda of WWF’s Environment and Disaster Management (EDM) program who kicks things off by sharing the program’s 20-year journey integrating nature into disaster risk management. Then, Dr. Ken Conca critiques large-scale flood control in Ellicott City, Maryland, advocating for community-driven solutions. Next, Irantzu Serra Lasa , founder of ResilireD, sh...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 223
In episode 222 of America Adapts , I sit down with Dr. Carolyn Kousky , a leading expert in climate risk and insurance, to explore the transformative potential of 'Insurance for Good.' We discuss how climate change is not only intensifying risks like wildfires in California but also driving radical changes to insurance markets worldwide. Carolyn shares insights on how the industry can respond to these challenges by closing protection gaps, incentivizing resilience, and creating innovative soluti...
Jan 27, 2025•34 min•Ep. 222
In episode 221 of America Adapts , we’re hosting some of the world’s leading adaptation experts (and previous podcast guests) to make climate predictions for 2025! From the growing impacts of wildfires reshaping communities, extreme heat, adaptation technology, to the potential massive shifts in climate policy under a new presidential administration, this year promises to be a turning point. Join us as we explore the trends, innovations, and strategies that will define climate adaptation in the ...
Jan 13, 2025•38 min•Ep. 221
In episode 220 of America Adapts , we’re diving into a new project from Tailwind: The Adaptation & Resilience Innovation Playbook. In this episode, I chatted with Katie MacDonald , co-founder of Tailwind, a pioneering firm dedicated to driving innovation in climate adaptation. Katie and her team at Tailwind are at the forefront of helping companies tackle some of the most pressing climate hazards—think wildfires, heat waves, and more. And now, they’ve taken it a step further with their lates...
Dec 20, 2024•37 min•Ep. 220
In episode 219 of America Adapts , we dive into the intersection of climate resilience, fiscal accountability, and federal oversight with two distinguished guests: Dr. Jesse Keenan , a leading expert in adaptation and urban planning at Tulane University, and Alfredo Gomez , Director of the Natural Resources and Environment Program at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Together, we unpack a pivotal GAO report on federal climate adaptation efforts, exploring its critical findings on the g...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 219
In episode 218 of America Adapts , I’m joined by Dr. Alizé Carrere , a recent doctoral graduate from the University of Miami, whose groundbreaking research explores the concept of "climatopias"—an innovative blend of climate and utopia. Now based in Nairobi, Kenya, Alizé shares her fascinating insights into how architecture and urban design can tackle climate challenges. From defining climatopias to categorizing their types—projects that fortify, float, forest, reduce, reuse, and retreat—Alizé u...
Nov 25, 2024•46 min•Ep. 218
In episode 217 of America Adapts , we dive into World Wildlife Fund’s ManglarIA (“AI for Mangroves” in Spanish), a new initiative supported by Google.org , Google’s philanthropic arm. This pioneering initiative is using advanced technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to understand how mangrove ecosystems and their contributions to communities are affected by climate change and its impacts. You will take a journey to the Yucatán in Mexico as we visit some spectacular mangrove forests...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 217
In episode 216 of America Adapts , I’m joined by Sara Bronin , Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, or ACHP . We dive into the vital work the agency does to protect our nation’s historic sites, with a focus on its regulatory responsibilities, especially the Section 106 review process. Sara also shares how the ACHP is incorporating Indigenous knowledge into preservation practices, and we discuss the growing need to streamline approvals for climate-resilient projects. Plus, we t...
Oct 22, 2024•51 min•Ep. 216
In episode 215 of America Adapts , I’m joined by Sherri Goodman . Sherri is Secretary General of the International Military Council on Climate and Security and a senior fellow at the Wilson Center Polar Institute. Sherri shares her decades of experience at the intersection of national security and environmental policy, offering fascinating insights from her newly released book, Threat Multiplier : Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security . We explore how military leaders a...
Oct 07, 2024•40 min•Ep. 215
In episode 214 of America Adapts , we partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to show their work in adapting cultural resources in the Pacific islands. We traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii to cover the Keeping History Above Water workshop and the PICARD , Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Research and Development conference. These two events were combined and sponsored by the Department of Defense. The podcast covers how cultural resources are at threat from climate change and the unique chall...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 214
In episode 213 of America Adapts, we are joined by two fellow climate podcasters and an expert in extreme heat. First is Louie Woodall , who hosts Climate Proof, a podcast focusing on adaptation finance, investment, and technology. Then, returning to the pod, is Peterson Toscano - the host of the Citizens Climate Radio podcast - where he interviews people from all walks of life to discuss the effects of the climate crisis and the importance of taking climate action. Also joining is Dr. Larissa L...
Sep 07, 2024•48 min•Ep. 213
In episode 212 of America Adapts , we partnered with Battelle to delve into the multifaceted world of ecological research with four distinguished scientists. Dr. Paula Mabee, Chief Scientist and Director of the National Ecological Observatory Network, discusses NEON's mission to monitor ecological changes and its role in shaping adaptation strategies through data and collaboration. Dr. Jamin Greenbaum from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography shares his groundbreaking research on Antarctic ic...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 212
In episode 211 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons attended the 2024 New Jersey Coastal and Climate Resilience Conference at Monmouth University in New Jersey. In this episode, we’ll be engaging with New Jersey’s top experts and leaders to discuss the current state of coastal science and research, climate resilience, and ecological restoration. We’ll explore how peer-to-peer learning and community engagement are driving successful projects—from municipal resilience plans to floodplain buyouts—and s...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 211
In episode 210 of America Adapts , Dr. Carolyn Kousky , Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy at the Environmental Defense Fund , returns to discuss the climate challenges in Florida's property insurance market. She outlines how Florida faces significant economic risks due to hurricanes and other disasters, with 36 presidential disaster declarations since 2000. The episode delves into the complexities of the state's insurance system, focusing on three key programs: Citizens Property ...
Jul 29, 2024•49 min•Ep. 210
In episode 209 of America Adapts , I attended the Waterfront Conference in New York City hosted by the Waterfront Alliance . The conference took place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in lower Manhattan. In this episode, you'll hear from state and local government officials talking about how they do coastal climate adaptation. We’ll also have insights from private sector companies who are leading the way in shovel-ready adaptation projects, essential for the next phase for the adaptation sector....
Jul 15, 2024•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 209
In episode 208 of America Adapts , Mark Nevitt , an associate professor of law at Emory University joins the podcast to discuss his new paper that’s under review, entitled, Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat: How to Break the Climate Disaster Cycle. Mark delves into the expansion of climate change law courses and his research on the security implications of climate change. He discusses his articles highlighting legal challenges in climate adaptation and introduces his new article focusing on breaking the ...
Jun 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 208
In episode 207 of America Adapts , Dr. Kelly Turner of UCLA and Dr. Ladd Keith at the University of Arizona join host Doug Parsons to discuss groundbreaking work in extreme heat governance and planning, specifically focusing on the recent NOAA grant awarded to launch the Center for Heat Resilient Communities. The grant aims to enhance heat resilience in communities by encouraging connections between stakeholders and the federal government, with a heavy emphasis on climate justice and environment...
Jun 03, 2024•34 min•Ep. 207
In episode 206 of America Adapts , the podcast partnered with Battelle for their third annual Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference, ICR24 . The conference took place April 22-24th in Washington, D.C. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Keynote speakers and attendees join the pod to share their experiences in climate adaptation and also discuss highlights from the conference. The event attracted senior level federal officials along with emerging adaptation profes...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 206
In episode 205 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Abrahm Lustgarten , an investigative climate reporter and author from Propublica. Abrahm discusses his work on climate change and migration and highlights his coverage of various climate-related issues such as water scarcity, sea level rise and wildfire. Abrahm’s book, " On the Move ," explores climate-driven migration in the United States. He traveled the country learning how areas are preparing, or not, for the impacts of climate change. He...
May 07, 2024•40 min•Ep. 205
In episode 204 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Bill Weir , the Chief Climate Correspondent at CNN . Bill shares his insights into how climate change now intersects with every aspect of our lives, transforming all beats into climate beats. Drawing from his experiences covering climate stories, he emphasizes the power of storytelling. We delve into the inspiration behind his book, "Life As We Know It," which looks at positive climate stories all inspired by the birth of his son. Critiquing ...
Apr 16, 2024•48 min•Ep. 204
In episode 203 of America Adapts , Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Justin Mankin . Justin is a climate scientist and associate professor at Dartmouth College. Doug and Justin discuss his provocative column in the New York Times on climate data accessibility – should tax funded climate data remain a public good. Justin also explains the intricacies of climate modeling and the ethical considerations of private sector involvement. Justin also emphasizes the significance of aligning private and public sector...
Mar 20, 2024•53 min•Ep. 203
