Looking Forward to a More Resilient Future

This week, our thoughts are with those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, two devastating storms that bring the problems, and costs, of climate pressures to the fore.?

The damage from Hurricane Helene is still being assessed and today we are just starting to see the wide-reaching extent of Hurricane Milton. What is certain is that the affected communities will feel the impacts for years.?

Both literal and economic storms affect different groups in different ways, and while existing systems buffer some of that risk, it’s critical that we identify and address the vulnerabilities that remain.?As these storms illustrate the fact that such natural disasters are becoming increasingly damaging, what community, corporate and government guardrails need to be in place to better prepare for and equitably recover from these challenges?

Spotlight:?A New Polarization in the Workplace: The Shocking Gap CEOs and Boards Must Close

How do differences between executives and employees undermine the trust needed to support organizational success? In this recent article , Edelman’s Cydney Roach highlights the problem:

“As of January, there is a 39-point chasm between executives (EVP+) and associates (non-manager and entry level) on personal economic optimism as defined by this simple but highly revealing question, ‘When you think about the economic prospects for yourself and your family, how do you think you and your family will be doing in five years’ time?’”

How can closing the “economic optimism gap”?between executives and employees positively impact organizations as well as radiating out into society?

News Roundup

1. Just How Doomed Is Home Insurance? ?(Vox:?Umair Irfan ) “Is the future insurable?” (also see?Hurricane Helene Is Exposing the Broken Flood Insurance System ?and?Beware Bad Faith in Home Insurance in Wake of Growing Hurricanes )??
2. America Is Lying to Itself About the Cost of Disasters ?(The Atlantic: Zo? Schlanger )?As the exceptional becomes business as usual, how can we do more to plan for resilience? (gift link; for those affected,?Hit by Disaster? How to Get What You Deserve From Insurers or FEMA )
3. The Great Green Business Rethink Is Finally Happening ?(Financial Times: Pilita Clark ) When “the goodwill and good citizenship of individual business leaders” aren’t enough, what should come next? (gift link; also see?The Planet Is Warming at a Record Pace. So Why Are Many Companies Retreating From Their Climate Targets? )
4. Just Jobs in Clean Energy: Seizing the Moment for Economic Equity (Word In Black: Nicholas Glover ) “It’s clear that we are in a profound moment of economic transition — one that is generating new pathways to wealth and prosperity.” How can we spread the benefits?
5. Looking Ahead to Combat Climate Change ?(Nautilus: Kitty Pollack , Greg Gershuny ) What would it mean for leaders “to pursue a vision of the future, not just address mistakes of the past”??(also see?How Higher Property Insurance Premiums Mirror Climate Risk )

Also on Our Radar

What else caught our attention this week?

• Silicon Valley, the New Lobbying Monster
• The AI Revolution Is Coming for Your Non-Union Job
• Wondering about specific climate risks??Zillow will now show climate risk data on for-sale property listings , or go to?First Street ?and?enter a US address to view risk data.
• Is change possible? Well,?Hell froze over in Texas .

One for the Road

We’d love to hear your thoughts about community and organizational resilience. Thanks for reading, forwarding and following!

— The Business & Society Navigators

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Welcome! View previous editions and?subscribe here !

Founded in 1998, the?Aspen Institute Business & Society Program ?works to align business decisions and investments with the long-term health of society—and the planet.