Disasterology: Navigating Fossil-Fueled Chaos

Feb 21, 2025

Guest

Samantha Montano

Guest

Ralph Hamlett

Guest

Adrienne Heinz

Samantha Montano, an expert in emergency management, Ralph Hamlett, a seasoned Alderman and flood survivor, and Adrienne Heinz, a clinical psychologist, discuss the rising intensity of disasters fueled by climate change. They unpack the disparities in disaster response and the long recovery journeys many face. The guests highlight the critical need for integrating mental health support into recovery efforts, illuminating personal stories of resilience and the importance of community in navigating the emotional aftermath of catastrophic events.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Resilience Amidst Flooding

01:38 • 17min

Resilience Amidst Disaster

18:09 • 6min

Surviving the Flames: A Family's Journey

24:04 • 7min

Navigating Grief and Community Resilience

31:26 • 12min

Building Local Emergency Management Expertise

43:03 • 2min

The Crucial Role of FEMA in Disaster Management

44:59 • 4min

Strengthening Local Emergency Management

48:56 • 14min

From hurricanes on the East Coast to wildfires in LA, to floods in Vermont and storms in Texas, communities across the U.S. are facing a growing number of intense and devastating disasters. There are significant disparities in who has the means to evacuate during a disaster and who has the resources to rebuild once the storm has passed. Long after the immediate impact, the challenges continue, with many left to navigate a slow, complex, and often confusing recovery process.

As the harsh reality of climate chaos sets in, how can we better integrate community mental health into the disaster recovery process to ensure that emotional and psychological needs are addressed alongside physical rebuilding?

Guests:

Adrienne Heinz, Clinical Research Psychologist, Stanford University School of Medicine

Samantha Montano, Assistant Professor of Emergency Management, Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Author, “Disasterology: Dispatches from The Frontlines of the Climate Crisis”

Ralph Hamlett, Alderman, Canton, North Carolina; Professor Emeritus of Political Communications, Brevard College

Haley Geller, Photo stylist; Pasadena resident

We’re excited to share two upcoming opportunities to see Climate One Live! On February 25, internationally recognized environmental and civil rights activist Catherine Coleman Flowers will join Climate One for a live conversation about the future of environmental justice.

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