64 min listen
Risky Business: Underinsured Against Climate Disaster
FromClimate One
ratings:
Length:
59 minutes
Released:
Sep 30, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
In recent years, hundreds of thousands of people in high-risk disaster areas across the US have been dropped from their insurance policies, leaving them both physically and financially vulnerable. At the same time, premiums have sky-rocketed, making insuring homes and businesses out of reach for many. And federal insurance and relief programs have come under scrutiny for payouts that contribute to inequality.
The insurance industry wasn’t set up to account for climate change, which is increasing the frequency, scale and severity of disaster claims. From flooding in Appalachia to fires in the Pacific Northwest to hurricanes wreaking havoc from Puerto Rico to Nova Scotia, we’ve seen frequent and fierce weather take lives and devastate communities. As more people and property face loss due to extreme weather events, who will pay to protect and rebuild communities? And what policies are being constructed to help the insurance industry stay afloat?
Guests:
Junia Howell, Urban Sociologist, University of Illinois Chicago
Simon Young, Senior Director, Climate and Resilience Hub, Willis Towers Watson
Carolyn Kousky, Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy, Environmental Defense Fund; author of Understanding Disaster Insurance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future
Umair Irfan, Climate and Covid Reporter, VOX
Eric Letvin, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Mitigation, FEMA
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The insurance industry wasn’t set up to account for climate change, which is increasing the frequency, scale and severity of disaster claims. From flooding in Appalachia to fires in the Pacific Northwest to hurricanes wreaking havoc from Puerto Rico to Nova Scotia, we’ve seen frequent and fierce weather take lives and devastate communities. As more people and property face loss due to extreme weather events, who will pay to protect and rebuild communities? And what policies are being constructed to help the insurance industry stay afloat?
Guests:
Junia Howell, Urban Sociologist, University of Illinois Chicago
Simon Young, Senior Director, Climate and Resilience Hub, Willis Towers Watson
Carolyn Kousky, Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy, Environmental Defense Fund; author of Understanding Disaster Insurance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future
Umair Irfan, Climate and Covid Reporter, VOX
Eric Letvin, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Mitigation, FEMA
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Released:
Sep 30, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
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