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Legal Tools for Climate Adaptation Advocacy: Flood Insurance

Sienkiewicz, Matthew

If thoughtfully redesigned, the flood insurance regime could be a powerful tool for encouraging sensible coastal land use as we confront the increased danger that climate change poses to these areas. As sea levels rise and storms become more frequent and severe, damage from flooding will increase. A properly constructed insurance regime would ensure that the people affected by this increased flooding pay appropriate insurance premiums. Moreover, such a regime would discourage excess development in flood-prone areas in the first place. This paper will begin by exploring the impact that climate change will have on flooding before turning to a description of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the principle focus of this paper. The paper will provide details on the operation and functions of the NFIP and then discuss the ways the regime discourages adaptation to climate change. Finally, the paper will conclude with suggestions for how readers can promote climate change adaptation by advocating for changes to the NFIP.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
Law
Publisher
Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia University
Series
Sabin Center for Climate Change Law White Papers
Published Here
July 14, 2015