Michael Levi

Climate Change: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Nathaniel Keohane, Michael Levi, Molly Macauley, Richard Sandor, Sheldon Whitehouse, Peter Passell

A diverse panel of experts, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and industry leaders Richard Sanders and Molly McCauley, argues that climate adaptation has shifted from a supplementary tactic to an essential strategy necessitated by irreversible impacts like species loss and extreme weather. The discussion highlights critical challenges in financing through insurance sector vulnerabilities and updating building codes, while warning that political gridlock and fragmented data on migration obstruct effective implementation. Ultimately, the speakers emphasize that without aggressive carbon pricing and integrated global governance, reliance on reactive measures will fail to address the systemic security risks posed by a non-steady-state climate.