Rebuilding in an Age of Constant Disasters – Insights from Florida after Hurricane Ian

As climate impacts accelerate, adaptation decisions and financing adaptation become increasingly essential to all communities across the globe, whether in developed or developing countries. Florida is at the center of the climate crisis, threatened by ever-increasing storms and super-charged hurricanes, sea level rise, and rising record-breaking heat days, among other climate impacts. The property devastation from Hurricane Ian topped $250 billion and severely damaged or destroyed 100,000 homes. It killed 101 people. Impacts will escalate with climate change. Yet, Ian-ravaged property is being snapped up for high-end coastal redevelopment just like after past hurricanes. Florida is living on borrowed time, but still, development moves forward. What needs to change, and how should climate risks be considered in Florida from policy, insurance, and investment standpoints? Are there national and global lessons from Florida’s development responses? Let’s find out from insurance and financial experts. Some of their answers will surprise you. Cohosted by the Environmental and Energy Management Institute at George Washington University.