RISE 2019 Conference

Leaders' Armchair Discussion: Federal Strategies to Enhance Community Resilience in the Face of Increased Threats to Weather Extremes and Related Disasters

 

Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, November 18

Location: Ballroom - Campus Center

Since 1980, over two hundred fifty weather and climate disasters equal to or exceeding $1 billion have adversely impacted the US – a cumulative amount totaling a staggering $1.6 trillion.  In 2018 alone, there were fourteen such disasters capping off a 3-year annual average that doubled our nation’s long-term annual average of $1 billion disaster events. This alarming increase, coupled with the vast amounts of money spent in response and recovery, has fueled a sense of urgency over the past decade to build a more resilient nation. This Armchair Leaders’ Discussion will explore some of the key strategies being advanced by our federal government, while taking a closer look at how these investment and policy decisions are enhancing community resilience.  The session will also consider how the federal government works together and coordinates activities – particularly given the significant number of federal agencies who play a critical role in safeguarding our nation from natural hazards and disasters.  Finally, we’d like to touch on the high-level challenges and opportunities facing our federal government across the continuum of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and adaptation, as well as research and planning, and the important role that higher education can play in short and long term future.