Latest news with #climateResilience
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Network Effect ATL Presented by Renaissance94 and 3BL Brought Together Unlikely Allies
ATLANTA, May 28, 2025 /3BL/ - Renaissance94, a global social impact organization advancing climate resilience and equitable sustainability, joined forces with leading sustainability communications firm 3BL to host Network Effect ATL—a half-day event designed to catalyze bold conversations and intentional partnerships. Held at the Southern Company Conference Center in Atlanta, this dynamic gathering marked a powerful close to April's Earth Month. More than two dozen leaders and innovators representing Atlanta's businesses, brands, sports teams, fashion, technology, and civic organizations gathered for focused discussions on all aspects of climate resilience from 'the Atlanta Way' to the power of culture as a vehicle for climate engagement to the importance of having those difficult conversations with unlikely allies to make forward progress. 'Thanks to our partnership with 3BL, Network Effect ATL united leaders from across industries and sectors to share solutions beyond conventional thinking,' said Daniel Blackman, founder of Renaissance94. 'Atlanta has always driven meaningful change, and these intentional conversations benefit communities far beyond our city limits. Because intentional impact happens when we use our collective influence to address today's challenges while safeguarding tomorrow's possibilities.' Featured on stage:City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability, Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena, Atlanta Dream WNBA, ABB's electrification of NASCAR, Aflac, Broadway Unlocked, Climate Solutionist Maya Penn, Kimberly Clark Professional, Klean Energy Kulture, Morehouse College Center for Sustainability and Innovation, Red Bull, Southern Company, Technology Association of Georgia, TheSharedWorld, Brand + Purpose, The Nature Conservancy, Thompson Hine, Truist Foundation, 3BL, and Renaissance94. 'Helping leading organizations turn their impact into powerful communications that drive business results is the most rewarding part of what we do at 3BL. Network Effect ATL was a reminder that when bold ideas meet shared values, real progress follows. We're grateful to work alongside partners who are committed to turning purpose into action—and results,' noted Chris Cutino, Chief Revenue Officer of 3BL. Through the leadership of Renaissance94 and 3BL, Network Effect ATL was more than a series of panel discussions–it was a cultural catalyst for 'intentional conversations' and 'intentional impact.' The momentum doesn't stop here. Stay connected as Renaissance94 and 3BL continue building bridges to accelerate 'intentional impact' in 2025. And, check out the #NetworkEffectATL conversations on LinkedIn! About Renaissance94Renaissance94 is a global social impact organization dedicated to advancing climate resilience and a just transition to a sustainable future. Led by Daniel Blackman, Ren94 drives transformational change by uniting corporations, nonprofits, philanthropists, artists, athletes, activists, and civic leaders. The organization creates measurable, cross-sector impact through convenings, storytelling, and strategic Renaissance94 on LinkedIn and Instagram. About 3BL3BL transforms impact and sustainability initiatives into business advantages. Since 2009, we've helped 1,500+ organizations—from Fortune 500s to NGOs—connect purpose with performance. Our proprietary platform delivers targeted distribution, strategic insights, and measurable analytics, while our media division TriplePundit provides solutions-focused journalism and brand storytelling support. Learn more at Media Contact:Lynne FildermanSenior Advisor, Public-Private Partnerships Network Effect ATL [email protected] Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Renaissance94
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii raises hotel and cruise taxes to fund climate response: What travelers should know
The Brief Hawaii is adding a 0.75% tax to hotel and vacation rental stays starting Jan. 1, 2026 A new 11% tax on cruise ships will begin in July 2026 Revenue, estimated at $100 million annually, will fund climate resilience and wildfire prevention projects HONOLULU - Visitors to Hawaii could soon be paying more to help protect its natural beauty—and your next trip might include higher hotel or cruise costs as a result. Hawaii's move is also being closely watched by other states considering similar taxes to fight climate-related damage. Why you should care Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday signed legislation that increases the state's tax on short-term accommodations like hotel rooms and vacation rentals, aiming to raise funds for climate resilience and wildfire prevention. The new law will boost the daily room rate tax by 0.75%, bringing the total state tax to 11%. That doesn't include additional state and county taxes, which will push the total levy on accommodations close to 19%—among the highest in the U.S. The law also introduces a new 11% tax on cruise ship bills starting in July 2026. That tax will be prorated based on how many days a ship is docked in Hawaii. What they're saying Officials say the tax will generate nearly $100 million annually, which will go toward: Replenishing eroding beaches like Waikiki Clearing invasive grasses that increase wildfire risk Installing hurricane clips to help secure rooftops Building firebreaks to stop wildfires Supporting a new state fire marshal role Green emphasized that the state must take bold steps after the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfire that killed 102 people and nearly leveled the historic town. "This is about protecting Hawaii and creating a model for the rest of the country," Green said. Big picture view This marks the first tax in the U.S. specifically aimed at funding a state's climate response. Hawaii's unique vulnerability to climate impacts—rising seas, stronger storms, and wildfire risk—makes it a testing ground for how tourism dollars might help foot the bill. Hotels and resorts ultimately supported the measure, arguing that protecting Hawaii's environment is essential for maintaining its status as a top destination. The Source This story is based on Associated Press reporting covering Gov. Josh Green's signing of climate-focused tax legislation aimed at funding wildfire prevention and shoreline protection. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Maybe Venice is the city that can save the world'
The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, led by curator Carlo Ratti, explores design as a tool for survival. From climate-resilient innovations to indigenous wisdom, the Biennale invites artists, architects, and audiences to re-imagine the future—and insists that optimism is not just a perspective, but a duty. With over 750 participants, the Biennale becomes a global call to action rooted in urgency and reinvention.
Washington Post
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
Alabama study reveals hurricane resilience programs are paying off for homeowners and insurers
A new Alabama study of hurricane-affected homes sends a clear message to insurers and homeowners nationwide: climate-resilient construction methods can protect homes, and save a lot of money. The first-of-its-kind analysis , released this week, reviews thousands of insurance claims linked to Hurricane Sally , which struck Alabama's coast in 2020 with wind speeds up to 105 miles per hour. Homes retrofitted or built to Fortified standards, a voluntary construction code created by the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safety (IBHS) for wind and rain mitigation saw significantly fewer and less costly claims.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama study reveals hurricane resilience programs are paying off for homeowners and insurers
A new Alabama study of hurricane-affected homes sends a clear message to insurers and homeowners nationwide: climate-resilient construction methods can protect homes, and save a lot of money. The first-of-its-kind analysis, released this week, reviews thousands of insurance claims linked to Hurricane Sally, which struck Alabama's coast in 2020 with wind speeds up to 105 miles per hour. Homes retrofitted or built to Fortified standards, a voluntary construction code created by the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Building and Home Safety (IBHS) for wind and rain mitigation saw significantly fewer and less costly claims. If every impacted house in Mobile and Baldwin counties had met Fortified standards, insurance companies could have spent 75% less in payouts, saving up to $112 million, and policyholders could have paid up to 65% less in deductibles, saving almost $35 million, according to the study. The results show "mitigation works and that we can build things that are resilient to climate change,' said Dr. Lars Powell, director of the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at the University of Alabama's Culverhouse School of Business, which led the study with the Alabama Department of Insurance. Across the United States, insurance markets are buckling under the pressure of more frequent and expensive climate events, and federal support is shrinking for resilience projects that could reduce that damage. Officials and researchers involved with the study say it proves Alabama's proactive approach to the challenge — mandatory, sizable insurance discounts for those who use Fortified and a grant program to help them afford it — could be a national model for increasing insurability and safety. IBHS created Fortified to strengthen buildings against storm damage based on decades of research at its facility, where it uses a giant wind tunnel to pummel model houses with rain, hail, and wind up to 130 miles per hour. 'We are having record breaking year after record breaking year of disasters and insured losses, and we have been searching for meaningful ways to reduce the severity and the frequency of those losses,' said Fred Malik, managing director of the Fortified program. The three levels of designations — Fortified Roof, Silver and Gold — employ methods like improving roof fasteners, using impact-rated doors and windows, and more securely anchoring walls to their foundation. The program requires third-party verification of work. About 80,000 homes across 32 states now have Fortified designations, with over 53,000 in Alabama. The state began looking for ways to improve storm outcomes after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 jolted the state's insurance market. 'Ivan was absolutely devastating,' said Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler. 'Our market was going crazy, insurers were leaving.' It became the only state to implement mandatory minimum insurance discounts for Fortified homes, currently as much as half off the wind portion of homeowners' premiums. It also launched the Strengthen Alabama Homes incentive program, offering grants of up to $10,000 for homeowners retrofitting their houses to Fortified standards. The state has doled out $86 million for 8,700 Fortified retrofits since 2015. Fowler credits the initiative with also catalyzing demand for new Fortified construction and incentivizing contractors and inspectors to learn the standards. 'It worked like gangbusters,' he said. 'We've seen the market substantially stabilized." Hurricane Sally offered researchers their first chance to assess the program's benefits in a real storm. 'It really was a prototypical storm that anybody who lives on the hurricane coast is liable to see in any given year,' said Malik. They collected insurance data on more than 40,000 houses in the affected area — a total insured value of $17 billion. Fortified construction reduced claim frequency by 55% to 74%, depending on the designation level, and loss severity by 14% to 40%. Despite representing almost one-quarter of the policies studied, Fortified homes accounted for only 9% of claims. They even fared better than houses built to similar codes but without the official designation, likely due to the program's more stringent verification requirements. 'It really does start to bring home that there is value for everybody involved,' said Malik. 'There's value for the insurers, there's value for the homeowner.' Fortified doesn't address all types of hurricane losses. Nearly half the claims in the study were from fallen trees, which require separate mitigation strategies. The enhanced standards do add cost: between 0.5% to 3% more for new construction, and 6% to 16% for retrofits. But the longterm benefits have spurred even disaster recovery nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon and SBP to use Fortified, often with the philanthropic support of insurers like Travelers and Allstate. 'Helping disaster-impacted homeowners build back smarter with storm-resilient construction and IBHS Fortified standards helps break the cycle of disaster and loss,' said Thomas Corley, chief operating officer at the New Orleans-based nonprofit SBP, which has built 671 homes to Fortified standards in nine states. The potential insurance discounts also help recovering families by lowering their monthly expenses and boosting confidence that they can keep affording their homes. 'For low-income families, this could mean the difference between upward mobility or years of financial instability after a disaster,' said Corley. Alabama is expanding its grant program to three new counties this year. Fowler said he hopes the results encourage more insurance companies to offer wind protection on coastal homes, and that adoption will spread to less hurricane-prone areas still susceptible to severe weather. The approach has caught the attention of other states seeking resilience solutions. Fowler spoke before a California legislative committee last month in support of the California Safe Homes Act, a proposed bill that would fund grants for fire-safe roofing and defensible space to protect from wildfires. 'Natural disasters like windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires will come no matter what we do,' he told the committee. 'That means you must find ways to build stronger before the event so you will have less damage after the event. It's actually a pretty simple concept.' ———— Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit Gabriela Aoun Angueira, The Associated Press
