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

Mon, Jan 9, 2023 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EST

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, being 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.

Let’s find out from insurance and financial experts. Some of their answers will surprise you. Meet the Panel
Joyce Coffee – ModeratorFounder and President of Climate Resilience Consulting
CRC creates and implements climate-related strategies for municipalities and industry. In addition, Joyce ran the preeminent global adaptation nonprofit, the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative, ND-GAIN, establishing the fundamentals of climate resilience measurement.
Ken LaRoeFounder and CEO of Climate First Bank in Florida
Climate First Bank’s vision is to reimagine finance as a force for good and become the most impactful bank contributing to the drawdown of atmospheric CO2. Previously, Ken started First Green Bank in 2009 and sold it in 2018 after growing it to seven locations with over $800 million in assets and financial performance in the top 10% of all Florida banks
Roy Wright
President and CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
IBHS delivers independent, nonprofit scientific research and communications supported by property insurers, reinsurers, and affiliated companies. Previously, Roy was the Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation at FEMA.
Trevor Burgess
CEO of Neptune Flood Insurance, the largest flood insurer in the United States.
Neptune merges technology, math algorithms (many are Trevor’s patents), and insurance expertise into innovative flood insurance products. Trevor is also Chairman of TRB Development, a diversified real estate company, and a former banker.
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