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Climate Disasters Initiative

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Prepare, Respond, Recover

Climate-induced disasters, such as wildfires, flooding, and hurricanes, are escalating in frequency and severity, exposing and exacerbating social and economic inequalities. The emergency management and response systems aimed at addressing these disasters—from healthcare to economic support, to legal protections—often fail to recognize these disparities. Instead of mitigating harm, disaster preparation and response policies can reinforce existing inequities and strip communities of the ability to recover. 

Our Climate Disasters Initiative recognizes that climate disasters are not just an environmental problem — they are human rights flashpoints. To meet this challenge, the Climate Disasters Initiative engages in research aimed at transforming disaster preparedness and response systems. By exposing critical gaps and advancing blueprintable solutions, we are helping to build more just systems capable of responding to the human cost of our changing climate.

Community-Centered Research

We engage with direct service providers and communities disproportionately affected by climate-induced disasters to understand their perspectives and needs.​

Policy and Legal Analysis

We evaluate how current laws and policies influence disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.  Based on this analysis, we recommend laws and policies to better protect the health, safety, economic livelihood, and self determination of vulnerable communities.

Education and Training

We train students to become the next generation of disaster researchers and advocates across a broad spectrum of professions and disciplines.

Staff

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Linda Gordon

Manager, Climate Disasters Initiative

Human Rights Center

Advisors

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Alexa Koenig

Co-Faculty Director; Director, Investigations

Human Rights Center

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Eric Stover

Co-Faculty Director

Human Rights Center

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Betsy Popken

Executive Director

Human Rights Center