Lauren Sommer and Rebecca Hersher, both reporters from NPR's Climate Desk, delve into the crucial issue of climate change's impact on housing. They discuss the challenges faced by communities from California to Arizona as they confront wildfires, water scarcity, and flooding. Key topics include innovative housing designs for fire resistance, legal battles over new developments, and the urgent need for sustainable growth strategies. The emotional struggles of residents navigating these disasters offer a powerful lens on the intersection of climate and housing.
Communities are grappling with urgent housing needs while confronting safety concerns tied to climate-driven disasters like wildfires and floods.
Local governments are caught between the necessity for housing and the imperative to enforce regulations that mitigate climate-related risks and ensure public safety.
Deep dives
Challenges of Displacement
Many communities are struggling to find temporary housing after devastating events like wildfires and mudslides. Individuals, such as Jennifer Barguiarena from Altadena, California, are not only searching for shelter but also grappling with whether their needs are short-term or long-term. This situation raises broader questions about whether certain areas are too hazardous for living, and who ultimately makes those decisions. The loss of homes and lives prompts urgent discussions about safety and sustainable living in disaster-prone regions.
Risks of Housing Development
Local governments face the pressure of housing shortages while also managing the risks associated with climate change. In Santee, California, concerns over a proposed development in a wildfire-prone area highlight the tension between the need for housing and the potential dangers involved. Environmentalists argue against new constructions that threaten safety due to inadequate evacuation routes during emergencies. Despite objections, city councils often prioritize housing developments, reflecting the ongoing conflict between immediate needs and long-term safety.
Innovative Legal Approaches in New Jersey
New Jersey distinguishes itself by enacting regulations aimed at reducing flood risk through stricter building guidelines. The state has recognized the dangers of flood-prone areas and has proposed measures to limit new constructions in such locations. Following Hurricane Sandy, Woodbridge took action by removing vulnerable homes, prioritizing public safety over tax revenue. This proactive approach sets an example for other regions grappling with climate-related risks while demonstrating the need for community support in implementing these essential changes.
The recent wildfires around Los Angeles are just the most recent example of how extreme weather driven by climate change is affecting housing across the country. Millions of homes are at risk of flooding, fire or drought. Increasingly, local municipalities are facing hard decisions about whether to tear homes down or ban new construction altogether.
Today on The Sunday Story, we share an episode that originally aired last year in which reporters Rebecca Hersher and Lauren Sommer visit three communities in the US trying to balance the need for housing with the threat of climate-driven disaster.