Unexpected disasters are causing damage in unlikely places, forcing decision-makers in the public and private sectors to prepare for the most common disasters in their region as well as the rare, once-in-a-hundred-year ones. But strategies exist to help decision-makers prepare for the unexpected.
Across the U.S., the average annual total costs of earthquakes is $14.7 billion, with the average earthquake costing between $1.5 to $3 billion. Adopting the latest seismic resilience codes can make buildings more earthquake-resistant and financial instruments can help communities rebuild quickly.
The Epicenter defines infrastructure as the physical, economic, and social systems central to the functioning of an economy and a society. Resiliency in critical infrastructure is about the ability to withstand extreme climate impacts and recover from them quickly.
In 2024, the U.S. experienced 24 climate disaster events where losses exceeded $1 billion. As The Epicenter team reflects on themes from 2024, five questions are top of mind. The Epicenter asked resiliency practitioners to reflect on the past year and share their thoughts on what's to come in 2025.
Investors can reduce the costs and dangers of extreme heat by: Fortifying the electrical grid and built environment; Advancing alternative cooling innovations; Developing public-private partnerships in cooling infrastructure; Investing in blended finance tools; Scaling insurance innovations.
Of all the natural disasters that hit the U.S. each year, extreme heat waves are by far the deadliest. Extreme heat also slows workers down and reduces agricultural productivity.
Three key levers present opportunity for private capital to improve the resiliency of infrastructure and assets during hurricanes: reduce exposure by pricing in disaster risk, fortify assets with hurricane-resilient materials, create partnerships between public and private actors.
Hurricanes are the most costly type of climate disaster. The high cost comes from population growth in hurricane-prone areas, incentives that motivate rebuilding in those same areas, and physical assets in harm's way that aren't designed to withstand severe hurricanes.
Long-term investment in voting infrastructure enables voters in NC to cast ballots. Disasters could slowly influence bi-partisan agreement for climate action. U.S. immigration policy could impede or catalyze climate migration. Presidents hold direct power over capital allocation post-disaster.
As floods become bigger and more common, insurance gaps increase costs. Climate-vulnerable mobile homes increase financial risk for communities. Pop up micro-grids offer resilience to vulnerable power grids. ReBuild NC has a deficit of over $150 Million and 1,600 people still displaced.
Part II of our Wildfires Briefing explores four categories of opportunity for the private sector: 1) Implementing modern building materials and codes; 2) Technologies for better fire management; 3) New insurance models; and 4) Private financing for forest management.
Climate change and federal policies are making wildfires more frequent and intense. Migration patterns are increasing the exposure of assets to wildfire threats. And assets that are more vulnerable to wildfires translate into higher costs.
5 Early Insights from Hurricane Helene. Climate change exacerbated the impacts of Helene. Hurricanes are no longer just a coastal threat. And utilities face growing recovery costs alongside pressure to build more resilient grid systems.
By rebuilding the same way we’ve done in the past, we’re ensuring the trend will continue: a costly and frequent cycle of destruction and reconstruction that can threaten existing assets and multiply financial losses across every sector.
Many firms can play in the adaptation space both in terms of investments and solutions. Climate Disasters are catalyzing the deterioration of our U.S Bridges. And policy-makers are moving to hold largest emitters financially accountable in effort to raise capital for adaptation efforts.