Climate-driven disasters are increasingly costing the United States hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Despite these rising costs, experts warn that federal support for disaster preparedness and greenhouse gas regulation has diminished under the Trump administration.
The rollback of federal greenhouse gas regulations and mitigation billions
Federal climate mitigation funding is being slashed even as disasters cost the U.S. hundreds of billions of dollars every year. As the report states, the Trump administration has rescinded the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases and withdrawn billions intended for state-level protection. This retreat from federal oversight leaves states and critical infrastructure more vulnerable to the intensifying effects of a warming world.
The erosion of these resources is becoming visible in coastal communities. For instance, high surf from Post-Tropical Storm Rachel recently damaged a boardwalk in Long Beach, California, on October 12, 2026. Such events highlight the growing gap between the increasing frequency of climate-driven disasters and the shrinking federal capacity to respond to them.
Garner’s warning on compound hazards from Virginia to Maine
Rowan University assistant professor Garner argues that the U.S. is failing to prepare for "compound hazards." These are events that occur simultaneously or in quick succession, such as the recent storm that brought wind, rain, and surge from Virginia to Maine. garner's research specifically examines how sea-level rise impacts tsunamis and how tropical cyclones evolve in a warming world.
In the Northeast, the report says, coastal defenses were heavily compromised as erosion ate away at beaches and dunes during recent storm surges. This leaves many communities unprotected against subsequent weather events, creating a cycle of vulnerability where one disaster weakens the defenses needed for the next.
The 1,400 lives lost in the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave
Extreme heat remains one of the most underestimated threats to human health and the economy, according to Singh of Washington State University Vancouver. While heat is highly predictable, its ecological and societal toll is often overlooked by policymakers.. The 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave demonstrated this catastrophic potential, resulting in an estimated 1,400 human deaths and the loss of one billion marine animals.
This acute danger differs from the chronic heat experienced in states like Florida, Arizona,and Louisiana. In those regions, constant exposure creates a continuous, less visible health burden that is just as significant as the sudden, deadly spkies seen in colder climates.
Who is prepared for a hurricane landfall followed by extreme heat?
Significant gaps remain in how communities handle overlapping crises, leaving many without a clear protocol. Garner specifically questions how local authorities can manage a scenario where a hurricane landfall is immediately followed by extreme heat.. This is a critical concern for millions of residents who may be left without electricity during a period of intense temperature spikes.
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