Shows
Building Tomorrow: Conversations with Climate SolversEpisode 19: Built to Last - Resilience in Every Retrofit (Live from Urban Green Conference)Live from Urban Green's 2025 annual conference, this special episode of Building Tomorrow features an exciting conversation about how resilience is shaping building design today and how the industry is evolving to meet climate challenges.Sustainability and resilience are closely linked in the building sector. With more frequent heat waves and extreme storms, New York City’s buildings must be prepared for a changing climate. Decarbonization efforts must integrate resilience to ensure long-term sustainability. The panel discussion is moderated by Susanne DesRoches, NYSERDA. The other panel speakers are: Ilana Judah, ArupJes...2025-07-3054 min
Adapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentFuture-Proofing Business: The Chamber's Work on Climate ResilienceMonika Serrano and Jessica Mederson speak with Chuck Chaitovitz, Vice President for environmental affairs and sustainability at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. They discuss the work being done by the Chamber as well as the Chamber's foundation to help businesses improve resiliency in the face of climate change. Chuck brings to the Chamber twenty-five years of experience focused on environment and energy issues, working with companies on strategies to improve their bottom line and competitive positioning. At the Chamber, Chaitovitz is launching a new environment and sustainability capability to give businesses the tools they need to adapt to...2025-07-1631 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentHealthy Buildings, Smarter Leases: Climate Law in Action Nicole DeNamur joins the podcast this week, along with co-hosts Jessica Mederson and Monika Serrano, they talk about emerging state and city climate-related laws, climate-aligned contracts and leases, and how they intersect with issues like water shortages, indoor air quality, occupant health and other climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Nicole DeNamur (she/her), J.D., Hon. AIA, WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel Ambassador, LEED Green Associate, is the founder of Climate Aligned Law, a climate-focused law firm, and Sustainable Strategies, a consulting firm dedicated to creating healthy, inclusive spaces through sustainability. With over a decade of exp...2025-06-2549 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentHome Insurance: Will it Weather the Storm?Carolyn Kousky, Acting Chief Economist at Environmental Defense Fund and founder of Insurance for Good joins Jessica Mederson and Monika Serrano, to discuss the current and future status of home insurance, the relationship between insurance at the individual level vs. community, what home owners can do today and much more. Dr. Kousky’s research examines multiple aspects of climate risk management and policy approaches for increasing resilience. She is the author of Understanding Disaster Insurance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future and an editor of A Blueprint for Coastal Adaptation. She has published numerous articles, reports, and b...2025-06-1145 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentThree Solutions for Climate Ready Construction Mónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to three entrepreneurs about their solutions to problems the construction industry faces on the job site, particurarly in the face of extreme heat, poor air conditions, and lack of water. They first talk to Zachary Kiehl, CEO and principal engineer of VigiLife, a connected health and safety technology company dedicated to protecting and enriching the lives of individuals at risk through innovative solutions. Then Mónika and Jessica speak with Tracie Wagman, CEO of ColdVest, a company dedicated to expanding its life-saving cooling technology worldwide. Finally, Jessica and Mónika talk to And...2025-05-281h 01Adapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentHot Lessons, Cool Solutions: The Miami-Dade StoryJessica Mederson and Mónika Serrano sit down with Jane Gilbert, Miami-Dade County's Chief Heat Officer. Together, they dive into the growing threat of extreme heat for cities, its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, and how communities leaders can respond through thoughtful design and policy. Jane shares how her groundbreaking role has shaping heat mitigation strategies—from education strategies to tree canopy initiatives—and what is next. Links: www.Heat.Gov www.miamidade.gov/heat Earth Day: Fastest-Warming U.S. Cities and States | Climate Central Fast Company: Meet the 7 Chief Heat Officers who are making their cities...2025-05-1437 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentAre Real Estate Investors Addressing Climate Risk?Jessica Mederson and Mónika Serrano speak with Julie Manning, Global Head of Climate and Carbon Strategy at La Salle Investments. This conversation explores if real estate investors are factoring climate risk into their decision-making, what resilience actions are taking place, the challenges of evaluating climate risk across portfolios while considering the unique characteristics of buildings and surrounding communities, and more. Links: ULI, LaSalle Physical Climate Risks and Underwriting Practices in Assets and Portfolios ULI, LaSalle Provide Framework for Real Estate Industry to Assess Climate Risk America Adapts: The Wild Wild W...2024-12-1932 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentBeavers: Nature's Climate Resilience EngineersDrought. Flooding. Wildfires. These are all risks our communities and built environment face and these risks are increasing as our planet warms. Beavers, nature's engineers and a keystone species, can help us fight all of these risks. Beavers are central to water management (reducing flooding and droughts and mitigating wildfires) because of how they handle water: they slow it, spread it, store it, and sink it. Mónika and Jessica interview Ben Goldfarb, author of Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter. They discuss beavers' past, present, and future - their connection to Eur...2024-12-1138 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentFrom The Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient CitiesJessica Mederson and Mónika Serrano speak with Alison Sant, author of the book From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities. They discuss how empowered local communities have created and led valuable efforts towards climate adaptation. From small, actionable steps to large-scale collective efforts, our conversation with Alison highlights stories of communities overcoming challenges, building strength, and fostering hope. From New Orleans to Minnesota and across the United States, this episode emphasizes the importance of collaboration, grassroots initiatives, and incremental progress in creating a resilient and thriving future for all. Our listeners get 20% off th...2024-11-2749 min
Women Talk Construction PodcastWTC 'Adapting Built Environments' with Mónika and JessicaSend us a textIn this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner are joined by Mónika Serrano from Turner Construction and Jessica Mederson from Stafford Rosenbaum to discuss the importance of climate resilience in the built environment. The conversation touches on their personal gratitude for the supportive network in the construction industry, the significant impact of climate change on construction projects, and the necessity of implementing resilient building practices. Mónika and Jessica share valuable insights on legal risks, practical measures for construction sites, and resources available to help professionals prepare for climate impacts. Key highlights in...2024-11-1830 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentThe Money Will Follow: Investors on Climate Risk and Migration Mónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to Greg Lindsey of Alpha Geo to explore how investors evaluate risks and opportunities in the face of climate change and climate migration. We also discuss public versus private investments, what the money follows, and the challenges individuals and communities face when considering climate migration. Topics and resources discussed include: AlphaGeo: AI-Powered Geospatial Predictive Analytics Columbia University Managed Retreat Conference The People Fleeing Climate Disasters Are Going To Transform the American South | Portside NJDEP| Blue Acres | Blue Acres What Is a...2024-11-1354 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentA New Standard For Property ResilienceMónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to Holly Neber, CEO of AEI Consultants, and chair of the development of the recently approved ASTM International Standard Guide for the assessment of physical climate risk and resilience for commercial properties known as the Property Resilience Assessment (PRA). We talk about the development of this new resilience standard, Holly's work as an emissary from commercial real estate finance to the resilience/adaptation community, and the processes of identifying and managing risk during purchase, development or financing of a commercial real estate asset. ASTM Property Resilience Assessment Resilience St...2024-10-3042 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentConcrete Conversations: Resiliency, Sustainability, & Innovation Mónika Serrano and Jessica Mederson talk to Jim Schneider, Executive Director of PCI Mountain States, a chapter of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) covering Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. They discuss concrete's role in increasing the built environment's resiliency to climate change as well as the greenhouse gases that are emitted in manufacturing concrete. They also cover some of the innovations being made in how concrete is manufactured and used. Links and resources discussed on this episode include: Jim's LInkedIn page: (11) Jim Schneider, LEED AP | LinkedIn PCI Precast Concrete and Sustainable Design: Precast Con...2024-10-1648 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentWorking with Resiliency Consultants to Adapt the Built EnvironmentMónika and Jessica talk to Amy Macdonald, Founder & Principal of Ripple Resilience. Formerly a principal and founder of Thornton Tomasetti's Resilience Practice, her career spans four continents, with leadership roles responding to catastrophes including Sandy, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and earthquakes in New Zealand and Nepal. Amy discusses how her experience in disaster recovery has led to her career working with clients to incorporate resilient design, nature-based solutions, and emergency preparations in order to be resilient in the face of climate change and extreme weather events. Amy explains the benefits of working with a resiliency co...2024-10-0249 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentBuilding a Resilient Tomorrow: Federal Policy PerspectiveJessica Mederson and Monika Serrano speak to Alice C. Hill, an expert in resilience to catastrophic risks, having served as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Resilience Policy on the National Security Council. She led policy development on natural disasters, national security, and climate change. Previously, as senior counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, she developed the department’s first climate adaptation plan. Currently a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Hill has authored works on climate resilience and serves on the boards of the Environmental Defense Fund and Munich Re U.S.-b...2024-09-181h 10Adapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentResilience Pays: Insurance Companies Fund Climate-Resilient Buildings ResearchJessica Mederson and Monika Serrano close the first season speaking with Dr. Anne Cope, Chief Engineer at IBHS, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, a nonprofit supported by property insurers, reinsurers, and affiliated companies. Anne leads the engineering team, researching the performance of homes and businesses in hurricanes, wildfires, severe thunderstorms, and hailstorms. We talk about her role at the National Institute of BUilding Sciences, building codes, affordability, return on investment from resilience, the role of insurers in adaptation and more. Resources: IBHS - https://ibhs.org/ IBHS Understanding Building Codes - h...2024-04-2442 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentThe Legal Landscape of Climate Adaptation Mónika and Jessica interview Professor Michael Gerrard, founder and director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. We discuss issues such as building codes and FEMA flood maps, government regulations that could be used to improve resiliency in the built environment but only if communities use the latest versions of these regulations, which are beginning to incorporate future climate modeling--not just historical climate date. We also discuss potential liability for parties to a construction project, particularly design professionals. And we come back to one of our favorite topics--extreme heat. Resources and s...2024-04-1027 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentKeeping US diplomats safe abroadJessica and Monika speak with Dr. Cassandra Smith and David Keller, from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, US Department of State. Their Climate Security and Resilience program works to understand and generate awareness of outposts' vulnerability to natural hazards and to enhance their resilience in preparation for potential natural hazards. We learn how they analyze and act on climate hazards that may affect diplomats outposts, how these assets have been affected, what the future outlook looks like, and more. US Department of State Magazine: Climate Security and Resilience Program Check out the ADAPT: Climate Ch...2024-03-2721 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentNew Orleans and Resilience RealitiesMónika and Jessica discuss living in New Orleans with Ashley Robinson, a construction lawyer with a civil engineering degree who lives and works in New Orleans. We discuss living in New Orleans post Katrina – from work being done to prepare for future hurricanes to the multiple rounds of litigation after a major disaster. Ashley addresses the problems with getting home insurance in the face of increasing extreme weather issues and the roles building standards, green infrastructure, and individuals need to play to ensure that New Orleans can be a resilient, insurable city going forward. Resources and lin...2024-03-1343 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentHeat Hazards in Construction: Building a Healthier Future Mónika and Jessica interview Jason Glaser, CEO of La Isla network, an occupational health research organization and consultancy dedicated to protecting workers in a warming world. La Isla Network studies the effects of heat on workers and advices organizations on how to adapt to extreme heat while protecting workers health and staying productive. We talk about the risk that extreme heat poses to the construction workforce, and the industry as a whole, and what can be done about it. Resources and links discussed include: Temperature conversion: 26 celsius = 78.8 farenheit Documentary - HEAT-SHIELD Film Showing...2024-02-2844 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentNew York State's Climate-Responsive Built Environment InitiativesMónika and Jessica interview Susanne DesRoches, Vice President, Clean and Resilient Buildings, at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), about how New York is modernizing its building stock to be both sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change. This work involves not just new builds, but also updating existing buildings and communities to prepare for our future climate. Susanne describes three specific projects NYSERDA is focusing on to address resilience in the built environment. Resources and links discussed include: New York State Climate Impacts Assessment: New York State Climate Im...2024-02-1431 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentAdapting Buildings to Climate Change 101Mónika and Jessica talk to Dr. Klaus Jacob, geophysicist and Emeritus Research Professor at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Dr. Jacob takes us back to basics, defining climate mitigation and adaptation, discussing synergies between sustainability and resilience (renewable energy!) and some of the challenges of adapting to climate change (can flood walls have unintended consequences?). Also, can building retrofits incorporate climate resilience? How urgent is adapting buildings and infrastructure to a changing climate? Dr. Jacob’s has taught graduate courses in Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Urban Resilience at Columbia’s Earth Institute, and the School...2024-01-3133 min
America Adapts the Climate Change PodcastTop Climate Stories of 2023 and Behind the Scenes with the America Adapts PodcastIn episode 199 America Adapts, it is a recap of 2023. In this episode, we highlight the top climate stories of 2023 and also discuss some of our favorite America Adapts episodes of the past year. Joining the pod is Anita Van Breda of Wildlife Wildlife Fund, Monika Serrano of Turner Construction and Jessica Mederson of the law firm Stafford Rosenbaum. In addition, there are two short bonus interviews: Dr. Refilew Mofoke, a professor from South Africa, joins the episode to talk about her new podcast the Plastic Planet Podcast, focusing on plastics and what they mean for the marine environment. And fi...2024-01-291h 20Adapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentCommunity Resilience, Money, and InfrastructureMónika and Jessica talk to Shalini Vajjhala, the Executive Director of Pre Collective and a nationally recognized infrastructure and climate resilience expert with more than 15 years of experience designing, funding, and financing community-centered resilient infrastructure solutions. Shalini discusses the questions she likes to ask every client at the beginning of a project, the different “colors of money” that can be available for a project, and the ways in which adaptation and preventative healthcare struggle from the same problem–it’s hard to measure successes when they’re measured by problems avoided. Over the last decade, Shalini founded and...2024-01-1741 minAdapt: Climate Change and the Built EnvironmentTrailer: Season One Launches!This trailer sets the stage for the first season of Adapt: Climate Change and the Built Environment, a podcast devoted to discussing the importance of, challenges of, and issues to address in incorporating resiliency into the built environment in the face of climate change. Hosted by Monika Serrano, a construction resilience manager, and Jessica Mederson, a construction and business litigator. Music for the trailer and the podcast provided by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net.2023-12-1802 min
CoreNet Global's What's Next PodcastAug 2022 Source Audio: Incorporate resiliency into projects to reduce your chances of ESG litigationThe overall toll of weather and climate disasters in recent years – coupled with dire projections about extreme weather events to come – highlight the urgent need to build resilience in our nation’s infrastructure and buildings. Click play to hear more.
Written By:
Jessica Mederson and Mónika Serrano
CoreNet Global’s the SOURCE magazine, August 20222022-08-1217 min