Author Archives: recoverydiva

FEMA Nominee Ignorant re Climate Change

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This report from CNN of the Congressional hearing for the proposed new FEMA Director, Peter Gaynor.  See: FEMA nominee says he does not know the causes of climate change. The Diva thinks it it not a hopeful sign when the nominee for that key position is ignorant of the science and causes of many disasters currently and in the future.

By contrast, the Homeland Security Digital Library features a recent study titled Focusing on Pressing Issues and Beyond. It is important to note that 3rd on this list of issues that concern defense and security educators is climate change. At least some key actors are interested.

 

Please Support this Blog

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Once again the Diva reminds you that for more than 7 years she has managed this site, and she does so on her own time and at her own expense. Occasionally, she asks for donations in order to pay for the technical help needed to maintain the site and update the URLs cited. If you value the site, please support its continuation.

Note that I also maintain the website Disasters and Faith-Based Organizations.

Land Trusts and Disaster Management

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Guest posting from reader Ann Patton, who is a long-time activist in the emergency management field.

I keep thinking this land trust idea could be very useful in disaster management. Perhaps you already have used or know about this potential tool. I wish I had it available when I was doing the work.

Our son Michael Patton is director of Oklahoma’s Land Legacy, a nonprofit that works on land and water conservation by acquiring and preserving development rights on lands that have high conservation value, in exchange for generous tax write-offs. As I understand it, Land Legacy has a very broad grant of powers, and Michael is using those powers creatively.

In essence, a landowner might be able to exchange the development rights on his/her land for IRS tax credit. With some careful, creative management, I believe it could even be extended to floodplain acquisition — something that is going to become more and more urgent with rising seas. In essence, the IRS becomes a potential funding source.

If you are interested, here’s Michael’s website: Land Legacy.  There more info on his facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/landlegacy/

 

 

 

“Disaster Housing Construction Challenges”

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From MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics a new report that outlines new ideas to address the nation’s disaster housing challenges: Disaster Housing Construction Challenges in America: Exploring the Role of Factory-Built Housing.  Press Release and direct URL to full report, which is 44 pages.

The report includes 11 recommendations for emergency managers; housing agencies; policymakers at state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal levels; leaders in the building code community; home construction companies; and others who have a goal of addressing challenges around disaster housing.  While factory-built housing is not a panacea, it should be a key component of the nation’s housing stock at a time when both the severity and frequency of natural disasters are increasing, and states continue to struggle to meet the demand for affordable housing.

Disaster housing is a challenge without easy answers or straightforward solutions.  Researchers at MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics have compiled their take on ways to improve our nation’s ability to take on disaster housing challenges.  More advanced construction methods can help ease some of the burden but will require action from policymakers, code officials and the construction industry.

Thanks to Dana Bres, U.S. Dept. of HUD, for this citation.

New Report on Climate Emergency

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At virtually the same time Pres. Trump has begun the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord 11,000 scientists from around the world have issues this report: Scientists Declare A Climate Emergency, Warn Of ‘Untold Human Suffering’
“Scientists have a moral obligation to clearly warn humanity of any catastrophic threat and to ‘tell it like it is,’” says a new report signed by over 11,000 academics.