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Environmental Defense Fund supports the leadership of New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Environmental Protection and their commitment to protect communities from riverine flood risk and stormwater runoff.

Over the past year, leaders have responded to our call to act – a call that was supported by more than a hundred organizations around the country. Here are two major ways their efforts can prepare us for the next hurricane. The post Hurricane season is here again. And finally, leaders are addressing multiple flood risks. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Climate science tells us a lot about how and why hurricanes are becoming more dangerous. Stronger hurricanes are becoming more frequent, for one thing.

This blog was authored by Environmental Defense Fund economists, Karina French and Carolyn Kousky. See their report here.  South Carolina is no stranger to the devastating effects of extreme flooding, with hurricanes like Matthew and Florence leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. As the state faces escalating flood risk due to climate changes …

A new website from EDF, American Rivers, and Four Corners Mapping provides a special look at the Grand Canyon through an educational, interactive journey. The interactive tool invites people to take a tour through the Grand Canyon and learn how the complexities of the Colorado River crisis impact the Grand Canyon and its surrounding communities …

Federal agencies fund state and local governments to purchase repeatedly flood-damaged properties from willing owners and convert them to open space. This process, known as a buyout, can save lives and lower disaster aid costs, but there are numerous challenges that disincentivize homeowners and communities from participating. Discover ways we can improve the process. The post Climate-driven floods could displace millions of Americans. Local buyout programs could help them relocate. first appeared on Growing Returns.

This blog is co-authored by Rachel O’Connor, Manager, Climate Resilient Water Systems. As Arizona’s water crisis worsens due to extreme drought and overuse, more attention than ever is being directed toward addressing this critical issue. At the federal level, an influx of funding has become available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Authors: Dawn Shirreffs and Kelly Suttles In 2022, the Florida legislature created the official designation of strawberry shortcake as the State Dessert. Key lime pie advocates may yet have a second chance to emerge victorious as important new research by Environmental Defense Fund and Two Degrees Adapt signals concern for growing strawberries in the Sunshine …

EDF advocates for an approach to the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Study that is multi-hazard, community-centered and prioritizes nature-based solutions.

EDF held a workshop where experts provided guidance on how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a federal agency that works on flood risk management, can integrate equity into their benefit-cost analyses. Here are their top five recommendations.

In recent weeks, new legislation has advanced the prioritization of climate resilience in the state of Florida.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022) passed through Congress last December as part of the this typically biennial and bipartisan legislation invests in water infrastructure by authorizing projects, studies and programs led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The post How new provisions in the Water Resources Development Act are building climate resilience first appeared on Growing Returns.

This blog is co-authored by Sue Ruiz (Education Manager, Self-Help Enterprises), Chris Freimund (Director of Development, Watershed Progressive), and Laura Dubin, Rural Community Assistance Corporation During a rainy Saturday in Visalia, graduates from the Water Leadership Institute (WLI) gathered for an alumni reunion. It only seemed fitting that alumni congregated to discuss solutions to water …

EDF research shows the likelihood of forest regeneration after a fire is lower than it was in the past.

Environmental Defense Fund and Texas A&M University published a new study that found all states in the U.S. are at risk from the effects of climate change, particularly neighborhoods experiencing disproportionate environmental harms and risks, health disparities and infrastructure problems.

New research published in the journal Environmental Research Letters examines the effectiveness of Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community R

EDF statement from Pam Kiely, Associate Vice President, U.S. Climate 

This blog was authored by Environmental Defense Fund economist, Carolyn Kousky. Facing $150 billion annually in direct costs from climate-related disasters, the current system of disaster recovery in the U.S. is failing many families and communities. Most households struggle with timely access to sufficient financial support for the wide-ranging expenses disasters impose. And without adequate …

No region of the US is unaffected by the impacts of climate change. New research led by EDF economists finds that increasing flood risk due to climate change pose threats to the stability of the US housing market.

A new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change examines the potential cost of unrealized flood risk in the American real estate market, finding that flood zone property prices are overvalued by US$121–US$237 billion. Authored by researchers from Environmental Defense Fund, First Street Foundation, Resources for the Future, the Federal Reserve, and several academic institutions, the study also examined how unpriced flood risk throughout the country could impact communities and local governments, finding low-income households particularly vulnerable to home value deflation.

Households with Insurance recover faster from disaster, but many people don't have the coverage they need to face floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events. New insurance products can bring coverage to more people with less cost, building resilience to a changing climate. 

Households with Insurance recover faster from disaster, but many people don't have the coverage they need to face floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events. EDF and partners are developing new insurance products that can help bring coverage to more people with less cost, and build resilience to a changing climate.

The Mississippi River Basin is sensitive to increased risks of flooding and poor water quality. However, natural infrastructure could help mitigate these risks. EDF research shows that wetlands and floodplains are the best natural resources to reduce flood risk and nitrate pollution.

Wetlands can be powerhouses for climate adaptation and resilience. This World Wetlands Day, we are highlighting one type of wetland that impacts people the most – coastal urban wetlands. The post Three ways to take bold action to protect urban coastal wetlands first appeared on Growing Returns.

Yesterday, California’s Department of Conservation opened a second application round for the state’s timely and in-demand Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP). Now through March 29th, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies and their local non-profit and public agency partners can apply for nearly $9 million block grants to plan for and implement projects that reduce regional groundwater demand …