by admin | Mar 22, 2017 | Activism, Climate, Disaster policy, Environment, Floodplain management, Government, Public policy, Resilience, Urban Planning, Water
It is time to make America resilient. The trends have been moving us in the wrong direction for a long time, but we know how to reverse them. Planners — and elected officials — have to embrace the science that will inform us best on how to achieve that goal, and we...
by admin | Mar 19, 2017 | Activism, Climate, Economic development, Environment, Government, Housing, Infrastructure, National security, Natural Hazards, Politics, Public policy, Resilience, Science, Urban Planning, Water
The American Planning Association (APA), the organization that employs me as the manager of its Hazards Planning Center, made me proud last week. It took a rare step: It announced its opposition to President Donald Trump’s 2018 budget proposal. It is not that APA has...
by admin | Feb 4, 2017 | Activism, Books, Climate, Disaster, Drought, Industry, Natural Hazards, Resilience, Science, Water, Wildfire
In times of political hostility to scientific truth, knowledgeable people sometimes wonder how we can progress without federal support for important initiatives such as adaptation to climate change. The answer, in a vibrant democracy, is that the truth often bubbles...
by admin | Jan 26, 2017 | Activism, Climate, Disaster, Disaster policy, National security, Natural Hazards, Public policy
I was made aware yesterday of a new petition on the White House website concerning climate change. The White House website has long contained a mechanism by which citizens can initiate an online petition on an issue of concern and then seek support from others to...
by admin | Nov 27, 2016 | Books, Climate, Government, National security, Science
It was the end of yet another trip to Washington, D.C. I generally find myself in the nation’s capital between three to five times per year, all depending on project needs, meeting invitations, and other factors mostly relevant to my work for the American Planning...
by admin | Nov 15, 2016 | Climate, Disaster, Government, Resilience, Science, Urban Planning
What makes a community stronger and more resilient in the face of severe weather threats and disasters? Clearly, preparation, awareness of existing and potential problems, and a willingness to confront harsh realities and solve problems are among the answers. Can we...
