• DISASTER-PROOFINGHow a Small Caribbean Island Is Trying to Become Hurricane-Proof

    By Emily Wilkinson

    Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the Caribbean and for small islands such as Dominica (not to be confused with the much larger Dominican Republic) it is an existential threat. Unlike larger islands like Cuba or Jamaica, a single storm hitting Dominica can damage the entire country – and the topography and small size of the island imposes hard limits on its ability to adapt.

  • PREPARING FOR DISASTERSWe Rarely Hear About the Disasters Which Were Avoided – but There’s a Lot We Can Learn from Them

    By Ilan Kelman, Ana Prados, Brady Podloski, and Gareth Byatt

    We frequently see headlines about disasters. But where are the headlines covering the good news of lives saved and damage averted when disasters do not happen? Our work, now published, offers examples we can learn from.

  • PREPARING FOR DISASTERSLearning from When the Earth Moves: Protecting Indonesia’s New Capital City

    By Louise Walsh

    Indonesia plans to build a new capital city from scratch. Protecting the new city from the effects of earthquakes will be crucial. Here’s how researchers are helping.

  • FLOODSReducing Flooding Impacts in Coastal Towns

    Researchers study the benefits and costs of flood-reduction strategies aimed at increasing coastal resilience to storms and sea-level rise. The researchers will apply advanced computer models to simulate how these strategies affect water levels both on the surface and underground and the flooding of homes, businesses and infrastructure.

  • FLOODSHow Mega-Floods Can Be Predicted

    When floods are predicted only on the basis of local data, there may be unpleasant surprises. A new method makes it possible to significantly improve predictions - using international data from hydrologically similar areas.

  • WILDFIRESReforms Needed to Expand Prescribed Burns

    By Kat Kerlin

    Prescribed fire, which mimics natural fire regimes, can help improve forest health and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic wildfire. But this management tool is underused in the fire-prone U.S. West and Baja California, Mexico, due to several barriers. Study highlights four strategies to overcome barriers to prescribed fire in the West.

  • FLOODSMaking Flood-Prone Areas in New Jersey More Resilient to Climate Change

    By Kitta MacPherson

    State and federal programs that enable the acquisition of flood-prone properties from willing homeowners at fair market value and then clear the land represent powerful first steps toward resilience.

  • WATER SECURITYScientists Map Loss of Groundwater Storage Around the World

    Global water resources are stretched by climate change and human population growth, and farms and cities are increasingly turning to groundwater to fill their needs. Unfortunately, the pumping of groundwater can cause the ground surface above to sink. A new study maps, for the first time, the permanent loss of aquifer storage capacity occurring globally.

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTUREProtecting Critical Infrastructure During Uncertain Times

    By Dimitri Kusnezov

    Throughout November, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) will commemorate Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month. The timing of this year’s monthlong spotlight on our nation’s critical infrastructure is especially significant. Between ongoing severe weather events affecting the nation (and our neighbors to the south), a resurgence of COVID-19, the looming threat of a government shutdown, and more, now is the time to turn research into action. 

  • WATER SECURITYStates Working to Safeguard America’s Most Important River

    By Matt Haines

    Political leaders in the Mississippi River area are looking to form a multistate compact to manage threats from climate change, water pollution and drought-affected regions elsewhere. Twenty million people drink from the Mississippi River and its tributaries every day, and the river has led to more than 350,000 jobs and generates more than $21 billion in annual tourism, fishing and recreation spending.

  • WILDFIRESResidents Unprepared for Wildland Fires, Face Barriers in Implementing Prevention Measures

    Individual and social factors contribute to lack of preparedness, despite many available residential wildfire mitigation and educational programs.

  • COASTAL CHALLENGESRising Seas Tighten Vise on Miami Even for People Who Are Not Flooded

    By Kevin Krajick

    In coming decades, four out of five residents of Florida’s Miami-Dade County area may face disruption or displacement, whether they live in flood zones or not – and indirect pressures on many areas could outweigh direct inundation.

  • MANUFACTURINGNSF invests $35M in future manufacturing

    Manufacturing is a linchpin of the U.S. economy, bolstering national security, economic growth, and American employment. The National Science Foundation (NSF) makes targeted investments in the future of manufacturing research and helps grow the manufacturing workforce.

  • FLOODSFirst-of-Its Kind Dataset Shows Future Flooding Risk at Neighborhood Level

    By Marguerite Huber

    Climate change fueled extreme weather events, like flooding, are happening more frequently. ANL researchers and partners have developed a new methodology for estimating increased flood risk from climate change.

  • INFRASTRUCTUREGermany: Copper Theft Hits Critical Infrastructure, Business

    Metal theft by criminal gangs in Germany is alarming the public and businesses. This year, the newspaper found, copper thefts have already led to 2,644 train delays, totaling well over 700 hours. The disruptions will worsen as copper prices rise.