Climate Proofers Jonathan Cook & Jainey Bavishi On The State of Adaptation Post-Biden
Jul 1, 2025
Jonathan Cook, a former Senior Resilience and Adaptation Advisor at USAID, and Jainey Bavishi, ex-Deputy Administrator at NOAA, delve into the stark changes in US climate adaptation post-Trump's presidency. They highlight the significant reduction in federal climate support and the implications for public goods like open-source data. Cook and Bavishi stress the importance of private sector engagement and innovative funding strategies to adapt effectively, while cautioning against the privatization of vital climate information, especially for underserved communities.
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Federal Capacity Eroded Intentionally
- The Trump administration dismantled climate adaptation systems, eroding federal capacity and delaying progress.
- This intentional disinvestment makes the U.S slower, more fragile, and blind to rising climate risks.
NOAA Expertise Severely Lost
- Over a thousand NOAA staff left via retirements and buyouts, losing 27,000 years of expertise.
- This loss cripples institutional memory and capacity, as the potential years of service lost are even greater.
USAID Exit Creates Major Gap
- USAID's exit represents a major loss of both climate expertise and broader development assistance.
- The departure creates a significant gap at a time when global adaptation needs are increasing.