Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

Today, we’re highlighting how next-generation weather forecasting and community-centered philanthropy, respectively, can bolster climate resilience. We’ve also updated our transportation topic page. New to transportation issues? Along with our 2025 briefing series, The Next Era of Transportation and Infrastructure, this topic page will get you up to speed.

Don’t forget to join EESI tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. EDT for a briefing about industrial decarbonization—now online only. Scroll down for details, and RSVP here!

Weathering the Storm: Enhancing Data Collection to Protect Americans
[5 min. read]

Natural disasters cost the United States an average of $140 billion annually. New AI modeling systems and weather monitoring system updates can supplement historic data to help communities, farmers, utilities, and insurance companies better prepare for extreme weather events. [click for more]

House and Senate Float River Protection Bill: Reps. Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act (H.R.5762/S.2926) to restore and protect the Hudson, Mohawk, and Raritan Rivers. For more information on healthy rivers, check out EESI’s article, which highlights key learnings from EESI’s Resilient and Healthy Rivers briefing series.

Pulse Check on U.S. Farmers: Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) introduced the Federal Agricultural Relief Maintained during Shutdowns and Federal Emergencies (FARM SAFE) Act (H.R.5716), alongside democratic cosponsors. The bill would ensure agricultural producers receive disaster assistance during times of federal uncertainty, including government shutdowns, by protecting the civil servants responsible for providing assistance from being furloughed or terminated. Check out EESI’s Farm Bill resources for practices that support farmers, ranchers, and the climate.

…And Pulse Check on FEMA: Rep. Delaney and eight Democratic cosponsors introduced H.R.5777 to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue certain reimbursements during lapses in appropriations. Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Troy Carter (D-La.) also introduced H.R.5780, which would require FEMA to continue distributions from the Disaster Relief Fund during lapses in appropriations. Tune in to our upcoming Rapid Readout, The Future of FEMA, to learn more about the status of FEMA and bipartisan reform proposals.

House Dems Surf Marine Energy Options: Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) reintroduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act (H.R.5692), which aims to direct $1 billion toward advanced clean energy technologies using marine resources, such as currents and tidal power. The funds would support marine energy demonstration projects, mapping, research and development, permitting, and workforce development.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for October 6-10 and October 13-17.

How Can We Cut Industrial Emissions?
Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Now online only

The industrial sector is the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter, representing 30% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and is projected to be the largest by 2035. This briefing will identify opportunities for industrial emissions reductions, and highlight how key players from the federal government and private sector come together to advance deployable innovations. These industrial decarbonization efforts boost American competitiveness while creating a more resilient economy and climate. RSVP here.

Rapid Readout: The Future of FEMA
Thursday, October 30
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Online only

We will sit down with Joel Scata, Senior Attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, for a Rapid Readout about the status of FEMA reform efforts. The Trump Administration and Congress are considering changes to pre-disaster preparedness, disaster response, and post-disaster recovery. Joel will provide background on why FEMA reforms are on the table, unpack how communities could be affected, and outline the most prominent proposal, the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 (H.R.4669). He will also describe what has happened to date with the FEMA Review Council, established by Executive Order 14180 in January 2025. RSVP here.

Briefing Series: What Congress Needs to Know About COP30
November 4, 5, and 6
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Online only

As world leaders, country negotiators, academics, and nonprofit and private sector representatives flood into Belém, Brazil, for this year’s U.N. climate summit (COP30), our COP briefing series will catch you up on everything you need to know. This year, we’re covering key negotiation topics, efforts around the Global Cooling Pledge, and the intersection of climate and global trade. Learn about the series and RSVP here.

Latest Media Coverage

• Inside EPA (subscription required) and the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute covered our briefing on the nexus of artificial intelligence and energy and the environment.
• Our article on data center water use was cited in pieces by NBC, Yahoo, and The Cool Down, among other outlets.
• The Daily Texan quoted EESI Project Manager Miguel Yañez-Barnuevo in an article about a new University of Texas program focused on data center sustainability.