Podcasts about disaster mitigation

Dan Preston is the co-founder and CEO of Stand, a brand-new startup property insurer providing homeowners insurance for climate-exposed properties. They're launching with a go-to-market focus on higher-end properties in California—homes that are otherwise unable to obtain affordable rates or any coverage at all due to wildfire risk. Stand claims that their differentiation, as Dan will explain in depth, comes from how they assess fire risk at the individual property level and help homeowners take proactive steps to mitigate those risks as part of the underwriting process.Dan is a seasoned entrepreneur with a win under his belt in InsurTech. He was previously the CEO of Metromile, which went public on the NASDAQ in 2020 via a SPAC merger and was later acquired by NextGen insurance company Lemonade in 2022.Stand recently raised a $30 million Series A, co-led by Inspired Capital and Lowercarbon, and came out of stealth at the end of 2024 to begin underwriting properties.Insurance risk is being priced and managed in ways that no longer match today's realities, and we loved hearing from Dan about how Stand is tackling the challenge.In this episode, we cover: [3:49] Dan's background in computer science and machine learning[7:00] The catalyst for starting Stand[9:22] How insurance companies typically evaluate risk[11:05] Challenges in measuring wildfire risk[17:32] Managing fire-prone communities and the importance of collective resilience[20:53] The role of private firefighters in insurance[22:08] Stand's mission and focus on climate-exposed properties[26:53] Progress since launch and early traction[27:39] Stand's product, technology, and risk modeling approach[33:18] Why legacy insurers have struggled to adapt to wildfire risk[38:35] What "perils" mean in insurance and why they matter[41:47] Stand's $30M Series A funding and future plansEpisode recorded on Feb 11, 2025 (Published on Feb 20, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

An uncomplicated but challenging flow in the wake of the fires these past two weeks. A great one to find yourself in after being shooketh. 

Pinellas County scheduled a virtual workshop to update its Disaster Mitigation Plan October 17th, not knowing that the county would be coming off two hurricanes in succession that caused serious damage. We speak with the county's Smita Ambadi about how to participate and what information the county needs to update its plans. It's not a forum to submit requests for assistance, but don't be surprised if that comes up. 

GUEST: Ross Siemens, Mayor of Abbotsford Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I cover various facets of disaster mitigation, and field some subscriber questions.

In this episode of the EV Life podcast, we're joined by Dr. Stephen Wong, assistant professor at the University of Alberta in Transportation Engineering. Stephen shares some insights into research his team is working on around the use of electric vehicles in disasters, including evacuation equity and power management. Join AMA's EV Life group Learn more about Dr. Stephen Wong

Eloisa Lewis and Shawn Magill of New Climate Culture discuss the ways in which agricultural operations and communities at large can improve their disaster resilience through biodiversity and permaculture initiatives.

In this episode Professor Goldsmith interviews Carlos Martín about his work as the project director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. They discuss Martín's background as an architect and engineer and how that informs his view of public policy and governance, the history of displacement in America, and why community bonds are a key aspect of infrastructure.Music credit: Summer-Man by KetsaAbout Data-Smart City SolutionsHoused at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, we work to catalyze the adoption of data projects on the local government level by serving as a central resource for cities interested in this emerging field. We highlight best practices, top innovators, and promising case studies while also connecting leading industry, academic, and government officials. Our research focus is the intersection of government and data, ranging from open data and predictive analytics to civic engagement technology. To learn more visit us online and follow us on Twitter. 

NEWS: DoST: New GRS will improve disaster mitigation | March 12, 2023Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tuneinSoundcloud: https://tmt.ph/soundcloud#TheManilaTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karl Fippinger, Vice President, Fire and Disaster Mitigation at the ICC joins us to discuss his role on the FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team as they evaluate building performance in areas that were affected by Hurricane Ian. Listen as he discusses how codes can protect infrastructure from natural disasters.

with

Dr. V.S. Hegde, born in 1952, has a Post Graduate Degree in Applied Geology and Doctorate Degree in Environmental Science. He has been with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) since 1975, contributing in the areas of Aerial Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, Remote Sensing & Satellite Communication Applications, Disaster Mitigation, Societal Applications, International Cooperation and Space Commerce.Previously, Hegde has held many key positions in ISRO, such as Scientific Secretary, ISRO; Director, Earth Observations System; Member-Secretary of Planning Committee on National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS); Programme Director, Disaster Management Support; Programme Coordinator, Village Resource Centres; Project Director, Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development. During 1989-1991, he was Founder-Director of Karnataka State Remote Sensing Centre, a vital organ of NNRMS. He was also Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix). Hegde's important contributions to the programmes and activities of ISRO, also of much relevance to national development, include: exploration of groundwater to provide drinking water in villages; landslide hazard zonation in the Himalayas; developing locale-specific integrated action plans at watershed level for management of land and water resources; and environment impact assessment for setting up polluting industries & developmental projects. He has played pivotal roles in implementing the space-based programme for disaster management; and conceptualising & realising the network of Village Resource Centres to take the benefits of space technology to the doorsteps of common man. His contributions in evolving the Remote Sensing Data Policy-2011; and the long-term strategy & plan for Indian Earth Observations System and its utilisation have been significant. He has played an equally pro-active and productive role in building ISRO's international relations and programme management as Scientific Secretary.This is a project by Spaceport SARABHAI (S2) to capture anecdotes of people who have contributed to the development of India's space program. S2 is India's 1st dedicated Space think tank that aspires to be global, collaborative, and inclusive. More about S2 - http://www.spaceportsarabhai.org/White paper on Indian supplier landscape: “Driving innovation in the Indian space sector using digital technologies”Discover how Dassault Systèmes can help New Space companies achieve fast, sustainable innovation: The New Frontier of Satellite Technology 3D Perspective on New Space, new horizons Support the NewSpace India podcast by becoming a Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/newspaceindiaWant to keep in touch with the NewSpace India community? Do join us on Discordhttps://discord.gg/WRJ8Yagb8TUniverse by Sappheiros https://soundcloud.com/sappheirosmusicCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jennifer Gray Thompson is a lifelong resident of Sonoma Valley in Northern California. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College and graduated from Dominican University in 2001 with degrees in English and History. After teaching high school for 10 years, Jennifer went on to earn a master's degree in Public Administration from University of Southern California's Price School of Public Policy. Post graduate school, Jennifer worked for the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. She is the CEO of After the Fire, an initiative of 501c3 nonprofit Rebuild NorthBay Foundation (RNBF), which was founded after the devastating fires in the North Bay of San Francisco in October 2017. RNBF is an organization dedicated to helping the region rebuild better, greener, safer, and faster. In summer of 2021, RNBF created After the Fire USA in response to the prevalence of massive megafires in response to climate change and wildland imbalances. Our tagline remains “Recover. Rebuild. Reimagine.” Jennifer is nationally recognized as a leader in the space of wildfire and has presented at several national conferences on the issue by invitation of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, HAC, Fannie Mae, Brownsfield, Smart Cities, FEMA, and many more. She is cofounder of CANVAS, an association of professional leaders in disaster working together to “listen locally, act regionally, reform nationally.” Jennifer is the creator and host of the How to Disaster podcast, which highlights proven and effective leaders with great ideas in the space of disaster. She is on the board of directors of La Luz Center, a nonprofit serving primarily the Latino community in Sonoma Valley.Jennifer interviewed Amy Simpkins on How to Disaster on Enhancing Equity and Sustainability back in September of 2021.Quotables“Every single community can recover at the same rate as another community if they are offered the right tools and capacity and funding and support.” - Jennifer Gray Thompson“Energy is also an ecosystem.” – Jennifer Gray Thompson"What is good for the ecology is good for the economy." – Jennifer Gray Thompson“The renewal of faith in humanity is really common in disaster places.” – Jennifer Gray Thompson“The American culture is very good in a crisis and is very good at stepping in with heroics in a crisis. But what we're bad at culturally is taking responsibility for our neighbors and our communities prior to the crisis.” – Amy Simpkins“Disaster is a great leveler and a great teacher.” – Jennifer Gray Thompson“There is a way forward and I believe clean energy is at the center of that.” – Jennifer Gray ThompsonIf you enjoyed the conversation, please share the episode with other innovators. Leave us a positive review and subscribe to Power Flow on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And hey, we're new, so you can even apply to be a sponsor or a guest.You can follow Power Flow Podcast on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tik Tok. Thank you for listening. See you at the whiteboard!

Combating the effects of climate change requires effective policy solutions, and in democratic societies, one of the most effective climate actions citizens can take is voting for candidates that support sustainable climate solutions. Thus, climate change must be viewed as a voting issue to build public and political demand for climate solutions. This week, listen to the climate scientist Michael Mann in this California China Climate Institute discussion.

Episode 420: NAMIC's new Chair Steve Sliver was introduced on stage during the 126th Annual Convention. The Mutual Benefit Group president and CEO joined the property/casualty insurance industry more than 40 years ago and quickly realized the ability to serve others in this industry was a calling.  On today's unscripted, NAMIC president and CEO Neil Alldredge talks with Sliver about his desire to pay it forward during his year as Chair and to give back to the industry that has given him so much.

City Building Inspector and Floodplain Manager Rick Foster discusses the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan that was adopted by the city, and was soon after adopted by the parish.

Mississippi is the only state not to apply for disaster mitigation funding under a new federal program.Then, summer resources designed to boost Mississippi's literacy rate kick into gear. And, writer Ben Beard examines how the South is portrayed in film. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We have all the tools we need to see everything. What's this talk of moving to other planets? Invisible, and what that implies. Defining perceived or natural. Merging timelines can complicate things. The narrative they constantly sell. Chimp outs and emergency alerts. How you should feel is on the control list. Good bait looks like the target. Mass graves and fake coffins. FEMA rezoning WTF? Hiring for disaster. What is meant by stealing the light. Kansas and the Wuhan plan. Trust the real people and be ready for anything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 408: As COVID-19 vaccines roll out, many workplaces are planning ahead for what a return to the office will look like.  On this episode's Insurance Unscripted, our Chuck Chamness talks with HR Consultant Gina Benedict about top safety considerations for organizations. 

Emergency management is a diverse and busy field, not for the faint of heart. How can emergency managers do a better job of assisting communities to prepare for disasters? What exactly do emergency managers do on a daily basis? With a wealth of experience from both the United Kingdom and British Columbia, Canada, Paul Edmonds of Red Dragon Consulting answers these questions and more. And be sure to check out the Study Guide for the program! Click on the top left where it says "Pdf" above the date! hthttps://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/emergency-management-with-the-red-dragon-interview-with-paul-edmondstps://multi-hazards.libsyn.com/ Paul Edmonds' Bio Paul Edmonds is Principal and Founder of Red Dragon Consulting, which does Emergency Management and Resilience Consultancy Services out of British Columbia (BC), Canada. He settled in BC in 2018 from a successful United Kingdom (UK) career. He has appreciation and gratitude to call the Okanagan his new home and acknowledges he works within First Nation territories who have inalienable Aboriginal Title and Rights. His first role in BC was managing the Okanagan Similkameen BC floods, landslides, and fires of 2018. He went on to provide subject matter expert for the Boundary Flood Recovery in Kootenay Boundary and Grand Forks areas. In BC, Paul now assists many different governments and organizations in many different roles. Red Dragon has delivered advanced planning, response planning, flood response planning, wildfire communications, operational response procedures, gap analysis, and evacuation plans. Mitigation strategies and risk assessments. Grant writing including assisting on a major Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Design and Exercise. Industrial risks. Mentoring. Recommending measures to protect cultural heritage. Taken part in local and provincial workshops in shaping the future. To name a few. He also works with a number of qualified professionals to deliver resiliency and mitigation projects. Red Dragon's Principal Consultant and founder, Paul Edmonds, is a qualified supplier of emergency management in British Columbia, Canada.

Tyler Pattat, president and owner of ServiceMaster by Cornerstone, a disaster mitigation company, doesn't just handle fire and water restoration for commercial and residential clients. They utilize technology to revolutionize the cleaning process and can bring your valuables back to life after water, smoke, mold damage. In addition, SM by Cornerstone is working hard to sanitize workspaces and homes to help fight the coronavirus. They even offer a free service for the Shelby County police and the fire departments to sanitize their vehicles to help keep first responders and the community safe. Listen to the interview and follow @smcornerstone on social media to see all the innovative ways Tyler and his team are using their resources to power the good!About ServiceMaster by CornerstoneUsing technology for disaster mitigation (fire, water, smoke, mold, etc.)Cleaning up after coronavirus Philanthropic effortsLearn more:  https://smcornerstone.com/

Dr. Wesley Cheek, a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellow at Ritsumeikan University Institute of Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage joins DOOMED with Matt Binder to discuss disaster research and the politics of pandemics, how no disaster is a "natural" disaster whether it be the coronavirus or a hurricane, why leftists needs to own disaster response and how neoliberalism fails, why the toll of a disaster is never accurate, and much more. On the patron half of the show: Wes sticks around to discuss more about the topic, the viral video on Dr. Jill Biden from The View, plus pro wrestling and punk rock talk! Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/mattbinder

AUSTRALIAN FIRES AND NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION FOR VENOMOUS SNAKES with Scott Eipper With the natural disaster currently happening in Australia, we get friend of the show Scott Eipper on to talk about the devastation for the natural habitats due to the mass bush fires. Not only do we talk about the devastating fires but also natural disaster mitigation for people who do keep venomous animals, to not only endanger others lives but also the lives of the animals. The hosts in this episode: Ross Deacon Danny Stiene Please search for Word on the snake vine podcast on your preferred podcasting platform or Listen and download on any of the links below:  Podbean: https://wordontsnakevine.podbean.com/  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6e6kkI6cwJjAx3I4K4CTic…  iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/word-on-the-snake-v…/id1450959744  Google Podcasts:https://www.google.com/podcasts…  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnbHx1CCLZKMfndnf70IFqg If you like what you hear and want more content such as bite reports, conservation effort information, plus many more, why not follow us at the link below?    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordonthesnakevinepodcast  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/word_on_the_snake_vine_podcast/ Merchandise and website are at the address below:  wordonthesnakevine.co.uk All profits from merchandise sales will be donated to snakebite inatives! If you would like to help us fund the podcast please do donate through our patreon below! https://www.patreon.com/rss/wordonthesnakevine?auth=I-Fbh4lqqtoQzrm0ph2kx0lo2q-kR8Td All the donations will be donated to help with the education and equipment needed to help combat the snake bite crisis! Thank you all for listening and please like and share the page and enjoy this latest episode!!   **The views expressed in this episode are the views of the guests and hosts NOT the company/institute they work for** Thank you all for listening and please like and share the page and enjoy this latest episode!!

More than 50% of all property insurance claims in the U.S. are related to non-weather related water losses in the home. A vast majority of those losses could have been significantly minimized or avoided if the home was equipped with an automatic water shutoff valve device. Such device will monitor the water in a residence's pipes for unusual water flows and close to valve to shut off the water home’s water supply. This episode will provide an in-depth analysis of this risk management strategy and how it can help homeowners avoid costly damage from water leaks.

Episode 214: Chuck talks with Keith Wolfe, President of US P&C at Swiss Re, about how improved flood modeling technology has made entering the market easier than ever. Plus, the cannabis industry gets some help from Congress with the CLAIM Act proposal. And the NAMIC-led BuildStrong Coalition hosts a forum to highlight mitigation opportunities following the enactment of disaster reform.

Laura Clemons is the CEO of Collaborative Communities and a Certified Floodplain Manager. She sits right at the crest of disasters, placemaking, policy, and community engagement. Laura is a master at disaster recovery and brings her unique background at FEMA and in urbanism to craft a new approach to how we attack ever present disasters. She has an unmatched passion and grit to truly saving communities. Laura currently helps cities throughout the United States with disasters through both mitigation and response before or after serious damage. In this episode we talk about the real effects disasters can have on your community, how urbanism is useful before and after disasters, how to hack FEMA, and what you can do now for your city to avoid the long lasting harm. Links: Collaborative Communities Laura’s LinkedIn Laura’s Facebook Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA 2 CFR Part 200 CNU We would absolutely love your feedback (seriously!) Please email humancitypodcast@gmail.com, Tweet at HumanCityPod, or message on Instagram Hosted By Stig Terrebonne

Welcome to Episode #79 of the Sydenham Current Sessions. The date is Friday, March 29, 2019. Dana Haggith and Aaron Hall present the weekly podcast, which you can now subscribe to for FREE on your Apple device through the Podcast app. * The Government of Canada announced this week they are investing over $16.5 million in Chatham-Kent through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. * Wallaceburg Memorial Arena is expected to be packed on Friday night, March 29, as the Wallaceburg Midget Rep Lakers host the Penetanguishene Flames in Game #5 of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Midget ‘B’ finals. * Towell’s Auto Body, since 1949, they have been family-owned and operated. They always do their best to make all customers happy through honesty, trust and good work. Call them for custom work, rust removal, collision repair, oil coating or to Bring New Life to Older Vehicles - 1258 Lambton Line Wallaceburg - 519-627-6592. * Weekend weather forecast. * Junior Star Search, PSA/Prostate Cancer Screening, Otter Creek Jam Fest.

Josh Costner grew up in a military/government family, spending the first several years of life in the San Fransisco bay area, then moving frequently across the country with his family, as his father's duty stations changed. While the family environment was very ideal and loving, his parents split when he was in his late teens, with he and his siblings staying with his mother. Living conditions dropped to poverty levels quickly due to his mother's nervous breakdowns. He joined to Army soon after.  He trained at Ft. Benning Georgia and went on to serve under outstanding leadership with the Engineers at other duty stations. In early 2003 he was deployed to Iraq, having the great honor to be serving alongside Sappers, Airborne Infantry, Rangers, and other outstanding soldiers. In mid-2003 he sustained injuries to the right shoulder and was shipped back to Ft. Hood Texas, where he underwent 9 months of physical therapy, eventually being medically discharged under honorable conditions.  Leaving the Army in 2004, he struggled with heavy drinking for a few years, as an unhealthy coping mechanism. Eventually, he sought help with the VA's counseling program and pushed through to overcome his alcohol dependence, He went on to study Emergency Management at Arkansas State University, and has dedicated his life to extensive study in the field of disaster mitigation under FEMA. He is preparing to publish a book on the subject of mitigation awareness, as well as launching a disaster prevention consulting firm in early 2019. jncostner.com  If you enjoyed this episode, please Comment Share and leave a review... Come Hang With US as WE Discuss The Show  You Need Content We Make it Easy Want to start a podcast? Mitigationhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/SYWTP/ Join the Conversation in our Facebook Group Success Champions Each Sunday we send out an email with the 5 episodes that aired along with this interview Sign Up Here

Josh Costner grew up in a military/government family, spending the first several years of life in the San Fransisco bay area, then moving frequently across the country with his family, as his father's duty stations changed. While the family environment was very ideal and loving, his parents split when he was in his late teens, with he and his siblings staying with his mother. Living conditions dropped to poverty levels quickly due to his mother's nervous breakdowns. He joined to Army soon after.  He trained at Ft. Benning Georgia and went on to serve under outstanding leadership with the Engineers at other duty stations. In early 2003 he was deployed to Iraq, having the great honor to be serving alongside Sappers, Airborne Infantry, Rangers, and other outstanding soldiers. In mid-2003 he sustained injuries to the right shoulder and was shipped back to Ft. Hood Texas, where he underwent 9 months of physical therapy, eventually being medically discharged under honorable conditions.  Leaving the Army in 2004, he struggled with heavy drinking for a few years, as an unhealthy coping mechanism. Eventually, he sought help with the VA's counseling program and pushed through to overcome his alcohol dependence, He went on to study Emergency Management at Arkansas State University, and has dedicated his life to extensive study in the field of disaster mitigation under FEMA. He is preparing to publish a book on the subject of mitigation awareness, as well as launching a disaster prevention consulting firm in early 2019. jncostner.com  If you enjoyed this episode, please Comment Share and leave a review... Come Hang With US as WE Discuss The Show  You Need Content We Make it Easy Want to start a podcast? Mitigationhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/SYWTP/ Join the Conversation in our Facebook Group Success Champions Each Sunday we send out an email with the 5 episodes that aired along with this interview Sign Up Here

Episode #121: Chuck talks with Ted Nickel, Wisconsin state insurance commissioner and former President of the NAIC about some of his greatest accomplishments as well as what he sees as the challenges ahead for the new NAIC leadership.

A discussion with some experts in mitigation and review an actual example of how mitigation is preventing risk to lives and property in the City of Beatrice, Nebraska during flooding events.

A discussion with some experts in mitigation and review an actual example of how mitigation is preventing risk to lives and property in the City of Beatrice, Nebraska during flooding events.

Episode #116: Chuck talks with NAMIC's new chairman Henry R. Gibbel about his long family history in the mutual insurance industry. Plus, the final steps that could put the new Disaster Recovery Reform provisions on the President’s desk this week.

Episode #104: Chuck talks with NAMIC Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jimi Grande about insurance industry accomplishments in Washington. We also uncover distracted driving and how one state is modernizing laws against cell phone usage behind the wheel. Plus, disaster mitigation takes a major step forward to improve the resiliency of our country.

Geohazards International shares their groundbreaking methods for disaster mitigation.

Yasmeen Lari details the growth of resilient architecture and sustainable development in Pakistan.

This week, White Bear joins me for the final and 3 part of disaster mitigation and clean up.

The political uncertainty of Japan’s post-Fukushima energy policy should not be surprising given the country’s energy constraints. Japan, an economic powerhouse operating within a geographically constrained landmass with virtually no independent energy sources to fuel and stabilize its economic needs, is trapped between two conflicting political problems: a growing segment of the Japanese electorate who reject essential facilities such as electric power plants and transmission wires being built in their backyards versus an equally large segment of the electorate who naturally expect a stable, environmentally safe and inexpensive flow of electric power to support their high standard of living and industrial production. That both expectations are technically and financially incompatible has led to the current political challenge. This lecture places Japan’s post-Fukushima energy challenges and its public policy decisions into perspective by analyzing it in cross-national context. Using heretofore-unexamined archival documents, microeconomic data, and qualitative interviews with key actors in a time-series, this talk explores how and why governments in three developed democracies—Japan, Germany, and UK—pursue the reform of their electric power markets over a long period. The talk emphasizes how periods of stasis (controlled by positive feedback or self-reinforcement) in terms of “policy image” are occasionally offset by bouts of frenetic institutional change. Variations in deliberation timetables, shifting voting patterns in committees, sporadic law promulgation, increasingly negative public opinion polls, and fluctuating media attention cycles (the dependent variables) are analyzed by using the ubiquity, consistency, and strength of foreign economic ideas and events (the independent variables) to explain the transformation of both formal and informal institutions in Japan. Should a media-transmitted image shift be the principal factor behind crisis-induced agenda-setting and decision-making behavior, this talk explores the “real-world” financial, environmental and technological trade-offs of policy objectives prioritizing renewable energy over nuclear power and fossil fuels.

This lecture puts the Great East Japan Earthquake into perspective by analysing it in the context of other major disasters. Using micro- and neighborhood-level data from four disasters in three nations over the 20th and 21st centuries, this talk will investigate standard theories of recovery and resilience. Bivariate, time series cross sectional, and matching analyses show that more than factors such as individual or personal wealth, aid from the government, or damage from the disaster, the depth of social capital best predicts recovery. Social capital works through three main mechanisms: elevating voice and suppressing exit, overcoming collective action barriers, and providing informal insurance. Should social networks prove the critical engines before, during, and after disaster, this suggests a new approach to disaster mitigation for NGOs, individuals, and governments. Daniel P. Aldrich is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Purdue University on leave for the academic year 2012  ̶  2013 as a Fulbright research professor at Tokyo University. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in political science from Harvard University, an M.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, and his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has published two books (Site fights and Building Resilience) and more than 80 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, reviews, and OpEds in locations such as the New York Times, CNN, and the Asahi Shinbun.