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This past July, as Dawn Lippert surfed the swells at her home beach in Honolulu, a rogue board sprang up and slammed her between the eyes. It could have been [...]

The article provides a perspective on the inability of insurers to offer flood insurance coverage. Topics discussed are risk of higher insurance premiums for homeowners as a result of global warming, and climate change, changes in demographic of retirees, breakdown in information on long-term risk of flood in areas outside of flood zones, reform plan for the National Flood Insurance Program, and insufficiency of the insurance market to tackle the problem of rising premiums.

Modern lifestyles are at war with the way our bodies evolved to function, and the battle is wiping us out. Chronobiology could help us get back on track [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [...]

THE EARLY-MORNING SUNSHINE, sharp and unfiltered in the high Andean altitude, flashes off the Water General's sunglasses. He poses next to a 2,500-gallon tank that his troops placed behind this [...]

The Sierra Club, a climate and environmental group, released a video criticizing Project 2025, a conservative white paper that outlines policy proposals for a potential second term for former President Donald Trump. The video highlights the plan's potential impact on environmental protections and warns of the influence of extremists. Despite Trump disavowing the plan, it was written by former high-level staffers in his administration and has become a liability for the GOP ticket. Climate and environmental groups plan to continue attacking the plan, using recent climate-related disasters to draw attention to its proposals. Democratic groups have been relentless in their criticism of Project 2025, and recent polls show growing awareness and negative views of the document. Liberal activists are using the plan to tie Trump to an extreme agenda and convince corporate leaders that a second Trump presidency would not be in their interest. [Extracted from the article]

A study published in Nature Climate Change has found that the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) in the United States has successfully reduced development in climate risk zones. The CBRA, passed in 1982, made certain areas along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts ineligible for federal subsidies that would encourage further development. The study found that areas designated under the CBRA had significantly lower development densities compared to similar areas that were not part of the program. Additionally, neighboring areas had higher development densities, indicating that the policy effectively steered people to less risky places. The study also found that the designated lands provided flood protection, resulting in higher property values in contiguous neighborhoods. The lead author of the study suggests that similar policies could be implemented in other at-risk parts of the country. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the climate change positions of potential running mates for Vice President Kamala Harris. It highlights Harris's record on climate change, including her support for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and her commitment to halving US emissions by 2030. The article also mentions Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, who has signed executive orders and legislation to prioritize clean energy and combat climate change. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also mentioned for their involvement in climate-related initiatives. [Extracted from the article]

Hurricane Beryl's recent impact on Texas serves as a warning of the cascading damages that can result from storms. Beyond the immediate destruction, insurance and reinsurance companies are increasingly concerned about the long-term disruptions to productivity, health, and supply chains, which have significant economic costs. Climate change is exacerbating these risks, as wildfires, floods, and storms can damage critical infrastructure and supply chains, leading to lost production time, materials spoilage, and delays in deliveries. Changing weather patterns also mean that areas not historically affected by hurricanes are now vulnerable. The lesson from Hurricane Beryl is that more storms like this can be expected in the future. [Extracted from the article]

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has implemented a new rule requiring projects funded by FEMA to consider future flood risk, in addition to current and past levels of risk. This rule aims to make communities more resilient and prevent the construction of vulnerable structures in flood-prone areas. The updated Federal Flood Risk Management Standard will go into effect on September 9th and will not impact rates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. While meeting the higher standard may increase upfront costs, studies have shown that resilient building standards can save money in the long run by reducing damage and economic impact. [Extracted from the article]

The article features several investors, policymakers, scientists and activists who are improving the world's understanding of climate risks and developing solutions to help reduce emissions, clean up industries and mobilize humanity for the cause. These include Bel Eidelson of Stepchange, Caroline Alden of LongPath Technologies, and Tom Chi of At One Ventures.

According to Jacques de Vaucleroy, chairman of Swiss Re, home insurance in the US is still priced too low for the risks associated with climate change. He believes that there is not enough action being taken to mitigate these risks, as homes are still being built in vulnerable areas. While this perspective may frustrate homeowners in places like Florida, where premiums have reached high levels, reinsurers like Swiss Re have a global view. Researchers have found that average home insurance premiums in the US increased by 33% between 2020 and 2023, with a clear correlation between disaster risk and premium increases. The rising cost of reinsurance is a major factor in the soaring insurance costs, and de Vaucleroy hopes that higher prices will lead to changes in behavior and public policy to better prepare for climate impacts. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on updates in the efforts to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, particularly on carbon capture technologies. Also cited are how the federal incentives under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will promote innovations in said technologies, the carbon sequestration facility being constructed by Air Products Inc. in Louisiana, and the plans by firms like Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Occidental Petroleum to develop carbon sequestration systems.

A recent study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) found that human-produced greenhouse gases doubled the likelihood of the deadly flooding in Brazil compared to the preindustrial era. The flooding, which affected over 90% of Brazil's southernmost state, was exacerbated by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. Factors such as poor flood-control infrastructure and deforestation also contributed to the severity of the floods. The study highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rain events worldwide due to rising temperatures. The researchers emphasize the need for governments to implement policies that reduce vulnerability and protect against floods in a warming world. [Extracted from the article]

Florida's home insurance industry is facing significant challenges, with seven insurers going bankrupt in recent years. This has left many homeowners struggling to find new coverage, often at higher costs, and with unresolved claims for hurricane damage. A working paper by researchers at Harvard University, Columbia University, and the Federal Reserve suggests that Florida's insurance market may be more precarious than previously thought, with lax regulation and monitoring contributing to the problem. The paper also highlights how the rating system used by Demotech, Inc., an insurance ratings firm, allows risky mortgages to be passed on to government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, Demotech's president disputes these claims and argues that the real issue is consumer and contractor fraud. The study's findings are concerning, and experts suggest that the GSEs should update their criteria for insurance ratings. Florida officials have also expressed concerns about Demotech's ratings, but the company has downgraded only a few insurers due to political pressure. The situation has caused financial chaos for some homeowners, leading to a loss of faith in the insurance system. [Extracted from the article]

Countries will begin their fourth round of United Nations talks to negotiate a global treaty on plastic in Ottawa, Canada. The negotiations have brought together the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, which supports mandatory limits on plastic, and a smaller group of countries, including the US, that resist limiting plastic production. Recent studies have highlighted the environmental and health impacts of plastic, including its contribution to carbon pollution and the amount of plastic waste generated by companies like Amazon. However, the International Council of Chemical Associations warns that placing a cap on plastic production could have negative economic and environmental consequences. [Extracted from the article]