Resilience
States and localities are having to adjust to a changing climate, establishing new policies, rules and guidelines relating to energy, land use and water rights, as well as responding to emergencies triggered by more intense storms, floods and wildfires.
Calm years should be the time for states and local governments to begin building the infrastructure to protect them from the disasters to come. Resilience can’t be purchased on short notice.
The mix of prices and fuel uses will determine how much communities suffer.
The U.S. EPA is rolling back emission standards, away from past efforts to reduce them.
A new study examines how extreme heat impedes learning and risks student health.
California is far from the only state where wildfires are pushing rates up and causing insurers to rethink coverage.
Seeking uniformity, many homeowners associations make it hard for owners to landscape with native plants, create wildlife habitat or install solar panels. State policies can turn these quasi-governments into leaders in residential sustainability.
Bay Area researchers found that gardens created to capture stormwater can do more than reduce flooding and manage water flow. They can also help keep pollutants out of the bay.
Survivors of the January 2025 fires are running out of resources. Federal help isn't on the horizon.
Other structures, from offices to housing to retail, will continue to account for most of our power demand. Good planning, design and operations, supported by a smart policy environment, can significantly reduce that demand.
State-run last-resort insurance plans push rates up for everyone, and they reduce incentives for fire-resistant homes and development. The plans can’t substitute for long-term solutions.
King County, Wash., has faced wildfire smoke risks longer than most places. Its response plans and strategies can benefit areas new to this environmental hazard.
Repeated disasters expose weaknesses in the systems that provide aid and help with recovery. Recognizing community disaster fatigue is an important step toward building enduring recovery systems.
Dangerous heat is coming to more parts of the country than ever. The Federation of American Scientists has compiled a library of remediation strategies and policies.
Massachusetts, Minnesota and Rhode Island are using cost analysis and data to prioritize investments before disasters strike.
Fire seasons are becoming longer and more severe, affecting communities far from the fires themselves. There are steps that could mitigate the problem.
The cancellation of these funds has left communities scrambling to scale back long-planned infrastructure projects meant to reduce future disaster risks.
Seven states that rely on Colorado River water couldn’t agree on a plan to share a shrinking resource. What comes next could be especially fateful for Arizona.
A report on habitat connectivity gives local rural governments guidance and resources for prioritizing the needs of wildlife in planning.
State policies that can unlock the affordability of home electrification, rooftop solar and battery storage could save families significant money while giving them a direct stake in the next energy economy.
The report from the FEMA Review Council affirms the need for the agency, but urges changes in federal and state responsibilities.
The new facility allows more care to be delivered on site, easing strain on staff and local hospitals.
At present, a fifth of the country is facing drought conditions of historic significance.
America’s power transmission system has vast unused capacity. Optimizing it can make it much more efficient without requiring costly new infrastructure. Virginia policymakers are showing the way.
Home insurance is so expensive that many Americans want it to be optional.
Seventy-five years after the first well near Tioga, the community reflects the booms, busts and lasting impact of a resource-driven economy.
Sensors, drones and air-blast systems are helping officials detect risks earlier and reduce dangers in high-risk areas.
Higher gas prices aren’t the whole story. The more a state depends on oil, the more expensive life becomes for residents.
State and local officials can use the tool to analyze dozens of quality-of-life indicators and better direct funding and interventions.
From drilling groundwater wells to recycling wastewater, the Texas city is launching a host of projects to ward off disaster amid a historic drought.
Household electricity bills were going up in almost every state long before gas prices became a worry.
The most powerful climate policy in America isn’t in Washington. It’s buried in your town’s zoning code.
