New Developments in Climate Disaster Response & Resilience

With climate change continuing to impact communities all over the country, what should lawyers know about recent developments in this field? This program will explore trending topics in climate disaster response and offer attendees an update on legal service and pro bono efforts after recent events impacting Florida and Puerto Rico.

This program is a joint effort of Pro Bono Net, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Equal Justice Works, and an extension of “Current and Emerging Issues in Disaster Response: Legal Strategies and Practices for Helping Survivors,” a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape after a disaster.

What You Will Learn

After completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between ESG and corporate social responsibility models
• Identify key components of ESG practices and how they are affecting people who live in areas of climate change risk 
• Evaluate the programs that law firms and companies are implementing as part of their ESG frameworks 
• Understand the devastating impacts of heat events across housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, public policy and beyond and why they should be classified as major disasters 
• Take steps towards advocating for policy change around heat events 
• Begin generating resilience in their communities through preparedness, outreach, and educational initiatives
• Understand generally FEMA’s updates regarding proof of home occupancy and ownership to its IAPPG
• Recognize issues with how the recent IAPPG updates are being implemented in Florida and Puerto Rico
• Learn best practices and tips on how to advocate on behalf of survivors facing these same issues in future disasters 

This program will benefit: 

• Attorneys, volunteers, and advocates from nonprofit legal service organizations
• Leaders and staff from national and state bar associations
• Court-based self-help staff 
• Pro bono coordinators from law firms and corporations
• Law school students and faculty
• Allied nonprofits working on disaster legal response efforts 
• Advocates interested in learning about the legal needs arising from climate disasters

Program Level: Overview

Prerequisites: An interest in assisting disaster survivors and staying up to date on disaster legal response efforts.

Advanced Preparation: None

Segments with an asterisk (*) are available only with the purchase of the entire program.

• Opening Remarks* [00:00:31]
  Linda Anderson Stanley, Amanda Bosley, Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz
• Climate Solutions for a Better Tomorrow: Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) Practices and Climate Change in the United States [01:06:51]
  Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz, Pamela A. Cone, Miri Frankel Miller, Oluwabamise A. Onabanjo
• Extreme Heat and Building Resiliency: Supporting Vulnerable Communities Amid Devastating Climate Change [01:00:57]
  Linda Anderson Stanley, Earl Brown, Jordan Davis, Jacob Zarefsky
• Lessons Learned: How Advocates are Addressing Issues with FEMA’s Recent IAPPG Updates in Florida and Puerto Rico [01:00:41]
  Amanda Bosley, Lcdo. Alejandro Figueroa Quevedo, Kathy N. Grunewald

Presentation Material

• Complete Course Handbook
• Change and Opportunity: 2023 Media Trends
  Miri Frankel Miller
• The Rise of Sustainable Media
  Miri Frankel Miller
• ESG v. CSR: Clarifying “Rebranded” Corporate Strategies
  Oluwabamise A. Onabanjo
• Legal Summit Shares the Transformative Power and Potential of ESG
  Pamela A. Cone
• Climate Solutions for a Better Tomorrow: Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) Practices and Climate Change in the United States (PowerPoint Slides)
  Pamela A. Cone, Miri Frankel Miller, Oluwabamise A. Onabanjo, Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz
• California Extreme Heat Action Plan Memo
  Jacob Zarefsky
• Blog: Californians With Disabilities Left in the Dark
  Jordan Davis
• Prepare Series: Extreme Heat; Community Preparedness and Resilience
  Earl Brown
• Blog: Understanding the Impact of Extreme Heat Events
  Jacob Zarefsky
• Phoenix, Arizona Heat Response Memo
  Jacob Zarefsky
• Case Study: How Disability Rights California Ensured People With Disabilities Are Safe During Public Safety Power Shut Offs
  Jordan Davis
• Extreme Heat and Building Resiliency: Supporting Vulnerable Communities Amid Devastating Climate Change (PowerPoint Slides)
  Linda Anderson Stanley, Earl Brown, Jordan Davis, Jacob Zarefsky
• Fact Sheet: Update to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide, Version 1.1
  Amanda Bosley, Kathy N. Grunewald, Lcdo. Alejandro Figueroa Quevedo
• Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG) Policy Amendments Memo
  Amanda Bosley, Kathy N. Grunewald, Lcdo. Alejandro Figueroa Quevedo
• Letter: FEMA Title Issues from Hurricane Fiona and Ian
  Amanda Bosley, Kathy N. Grunewald, Lcdo. Alejandro Figueroa Quevedo
• Lessons Learned: How Advocates are Addressing Issues with FEMA’s Recent IAPPG Updates in Florida and Puerto Rico (PowerPoint Slides)
  Amanda Bosley, Kathy N. Grunewald, Lcdo. Alejandro Figueroa Quevedo

Why You Should Attend

With climate change continuing to impact communities all over the country, what should lawyers know about recent developments in this field? This program will explore trending topics in climate disaster response and offer attendees an update on legal service and pro bono efforts after recent events impacting Florida and Puerto Rico.

This program is a joint effort of Pro Bono Net, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Equal Justice Works, and an extension of “Climate Disaster Recovery and Community Resilience: The Role of Legal Professionals” a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape after a disaster.

What You Will Learn

After completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between ESG and corporate social responsibility models
• Identify key components of ESG practices and how they are affecting people who live in areas of climate change risk 
• Evaluate the programs that law firms and companies are implementing as part of their ESG frameworks 
• Understand the devastating impacts of heat events across housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, public policy and beyond and why they should be classified as major disasters 
• Take steps towards advocating for policy change around heat events 
• Begin generating resilience in their communities through preparedness, outreach, and educational initiatives
• Understand generally FEMA’s updates regarding proof of home occupancy and ownership to its IAPPG
• Recognize issues with how the recent IAPPG updates are being implemented in Florida and Puerto Rico
• Learn best practices and tips on how to advocate on behalf of survivors facing these same issues in future disasters

Who Should Attend

This program will benefit: 

• Attorneys, volunteers, and advocates from nonprofit legal service organizations
• Leaders and staff from national and state bar associations
• Court-based self-help staff 
• Pro bono coordinators from law firms and corporations
• Law school students and faculty
• Allied nonprofits working on disaster legal response efforts 
• Advocates interested in learning about the legal needs arising from climate disasters

Program Level: Overview

Prerequisites: An interest in assisting disaster survivors and staying up to date on disaster legal response efforts.

Advanced Preparation: None