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Newsletter
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Rebuilding coastal communities post-hurricanes is complex and transformative
As coastal communities rebuild after hurricanes, the process is expensive and can drastically alter local character.
Dorany Pineda and Rebecca Blackwell report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Charles Long faces a $450,000 cost to rebuild his hurricane-damaged home on stilts, opting instead to create a pole barn for an RV.
- Rising insurance rates and high construction costs make rebuilding prohibitive, with some fearing gentrification and displacement.
- Resilient infrastructure projects vary by community, each impacting ecosystems, shoreline access, and community identity differently.
Key quote:
“You want to leave communities well protected, but you also want to preserve what makes them vibrant and worth living in.”
— Paul Gallay, director of the Resilient Coastal Communities Project at Columbia Climate School
Why this matters:
Coastal communities face growing challenges from climate change, with rising sea levels and stronger storms threatening long-term viability.
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Texans endure power outages and heat one week after Hurricane Beryl
More than 200,000 CenterPoint Energy customers remain without power in southeast Texas, facing heat and frustration a week after Hurricane Beryl.
Jaden Edison and Pooja Salhotra report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Hurricane Beryl left more than 200,000 CenterPoint Energy customers without power in southeast Texas.
- Residents struggle with 90-degree heat, relying on generators and eating fast food to cope.
- CenterPoint Energy has restored power to most but still faces criticism for delays and poor communication.
Key quote:
"It's like they’re just leaving me for last."
— Rodolfo Peña, Channelview resident
Why this matters:
Prolonged power outages during extreme heat waves can lead to a cascade of problems, from heatstroke and dehydration to the inability to preserve food and maintain essential medical equipment.
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Texans endure power outages and extreme heat after Hurricane Beryl
More than a million Texans remain without power days after Hurricane Beryl, grappling with debris, heat, and inadequate resources.
Jaden Edison, Jess Huff, Pooja Salhotra, and Kayla Guo report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage, leaving 1.3 million Texans without power, with full restoration expected to take days or weeks.
- Cooling centers and supply stations have been set up to assist residents coping with the extreme heat and lack of electricity.
- Officials face scrutiny over preparedness and response, as residents demand accountability from utility companies.
Key quote:
"It looks like Vietnam after a bomb raid."
— Rod “Doc” Pierce, Sargent resident
Why this matters:
Hurricane Beryl's aftermath highlights the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, stressing the need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
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Hannah Ritchie's optimistic view on environmental sustainability
Data scientist Hannah Ritchie offers a hopeful perspective on environmental sustainability, suggesting that the worst of planetary damage might be nearing its peak.
In short:
- Ritchie, once a doomist, now sees signs of optimism in environmental data, including improvements in air quality and electric vehicle sales.
- Key developments, such as the reduction of ozone-depleting gases and tackling acid rain, demonstrate humanity's capacity for positive environmental change.
- Ritchie emphasizes the role of technology in achieving sustainability, highlighting the rapid advancement and cost reduction in renewable energy sources.
Key quote:
"The science is very clear that it's never too late; the impacts of climate change are on a spectrum and where we land on that spectrum depends on what we do today."
— Hannah Ritchie, data scientist
Why this matters:
Ritchie's optimism, grounded in data, offers hope and direction, particularly in the context of health outcomes. It underscores the potential for collective action and technological innovation to create a sustainable future.
Achieving sustainable and dignified life for all on an increasingly small planet.
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Coastal New Jersey homeowners lack flood insurance despite rising seas, report says
A gap in flood insurance coverage leaves millions at risk as the frequency and severity of extreme weather events increase across the Northeast, the report notes.
Newsletter
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash
Australia must urgently adapt to extreme weather or face soaring premiums, insurers warn
Global insurers say Australia is running out of time to reduce its vulnerability to the climate crisis and faces higher premiums for households and businesses.
Newsletter
Photo by John Middelkoop on Unsplash
Home insurers cut natural disasters from policies over climate risk
Major insurers say they will cut out damage caused by hurricanes, wind and hail from policies underwriting property along coastlines and in wildfire country.
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