{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"organization":["Environmental and Energy Study Institute"]},"warnings":[]},"total":{"value":512,"relation":"eq"},"page":8,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?organization=environmental-and-energy-study-institute&page=8","next":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?organization=environmental-and-energy-study-institute&page=9","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"eesi-000419","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000419","title":"Coastal Resilience in Alaska","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_042120.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details the impacts of climate change on Alaskan coastal communities, highlighting the synergy between thawing permafrost and decreasing sea ice that accelerates shoreline erosion. It emphasizes the high financial cost of community relocation and the critical need for integrating indigenous knowledge with western science. The briefing also discusses the role of regional partnerships, such as the Aleutian Bering Sea Initiative, in managing marine mammals and improving domain awareness, while identifying significant barriers to resilience, including inadequate elevation data, limited telecommunications, and a lack of central coordinating authority for adaptation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The interaction between thawing permafrost and decreasing sea ice increases coastal vulnerability; as permafrost thaws, ground stability decreases, and the longer ice-free seasons expose the coast to more frequent and severe storm-driven erosion and flooding.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Climate change is causing a significant increase in the ice-free season for the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, with projections suggesting an increase of roughly one week per decade south of latitude 60 North and two weeks per decade north of latitude 65 North.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Relocating Alaskan coastal communities is extremely expensive, with costs for individual moves estimated in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Infrastructure impacts in Alaska between 2015 and 2099 are estimated at $4.3 billion for a lower emissions scenario and $5.5 billion for a higher emissions scenario (in 2015 dollars), though adaptation could reduce these costs by approximately 40%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Extreme precipitation events are projected to increase in frequency; a historical one-in-20-year event could become a one-in-five-year event in southeast Alaska and a one-in-three-year event in Western Alaska and the YK Delta under high emissions scenarios.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A critical data gap exists in coastal mapping; approximately 60% of Alaska is not covered by the National Wetlands Inventory, particularly in the areas experiencing the most rapid change.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Indigenous knowledge is essential for resilience but is often undervalued or excluded by government agencies during adaptation planning; there is a call for the 'co-production' of science that combines western data with traditional observations.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Aleutian Bering Sea Initiative successfully used proximity analysis of shipping lanes to establish five voluntary 'areas to be avoided' to protect Steller sea lion haul-outs from oil spills and disturbances.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Indigenous Sentinel's Network, launched in 2002, allows communities to define their own science questions and own the resulting data, using a smartphone app to document traditional food harvests and wildlife die-offs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Significant systemic barriers to coastal resilience include convoluted federal financial assistance processes, poor telecommunications in tribal communities, and the absence of a single central authority to coordinate adaptation efforts statewide.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000419#insight-10","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coastal management","coastal erosion","climate change adaptation","traditional knowledge","food security","ocean acidification"],"geography_discussed":["Kivalina","Shishmaref","Newtok","Mertarvik","Quinhagak","Juneau","Sitka","Aleutian Islands","Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta","Pribilof Islands","Canada"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["expert panel","risk assessment","policy discussion"]},{"id":"eesi-000202","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000202","title":"Support for Select Federal Programs that Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-03-31","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Testimony-House-Approps-Energy-033120.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"EESI urges the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to provide at least level funding for key Department of Energy (DOE) programs in FY2021. The testimony highlights the importance of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) in achieving net-zero energy homes and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D). Specific funding requests include at least $410 million for the Vehicle Technologies Program, $395 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Office, and $300 million for the Buildings Technologies Office, among others.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000202#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"EESI argues that the urgency of climate change necessitates a comprehensive set of policies and programs with inter- and intra-agency coordination rather than a single policy solution.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000202#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is identified as critical for reaching climate goals through the integration of energy efficiency and renewable energy, specifically for net-zero energy home construction and building-grid integration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000202#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"EESI requests specific FY2021 funding for several EERE programs: at least $410 million for the Vehicle Technologies Program, $395 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Office, $308.5 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), $70 million for the State Energy Program (SEP), $300 million for the Buildings Technologies Office, and $44 million for the Federal Energy Management Program.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000202#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has improved over 7.4 million homes since 1976, with each dollar invested producing $4.50 in benefits, including health, safety, and energy savings.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000202#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has leveraged private capital to finance projects across two dozen agencies, resulting in 30,000 jobs and an $8 billion reduction in energy outlays over the next 18 years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000202#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change mitigation","climate change adaptation","energy efficiency","renewable energy","photovoltaics","sustainable architecture","greenhouse gas emissions","electric vehicle","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy recommendation","budgetary request"]},{"id":"eesi-000203","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000203","title":"Support for Select Federal Programs that Address Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-03-20","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Testimony-Senate-Approps-Interior-033120.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) urges the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to maintain or increase funding for climate-related programs in fiscal year 2021. EESI specifically advocates for the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program, and the EPA's ENERGY STAR program, arguing that these initiatives are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resilience through nature-based solutions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000203#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"EESI argues that the urgency of climate change necessitates a comprehensive set of coordinated policies and programs rather than a single policy, and requests that the Subcommittee provide at least level funding for these programs in fiscal year 2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000203#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is described as an indispensable partner for understanding, mitigating, and adapting to climate change, leading EESI to urge the Subcommittee to reject the administration's budget request and provide at least level funding for FY2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000203#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program is highlighted as an example of climate mitigation that uses nature-based solutions to provide technical and financial assistance for conservation and habitat restoration to improve coastal ecosystem resilience.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000203#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"EESI strongly opposes the administration's proposal to eliminate the ENERGY STAR program via a fee-based structure, noting that the program avoids 290 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually—approximately five percent of total U.S. emissions—and saves users over $30 billion per year. EESI requests $60 million for the program in FY2021.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000203#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"EESI advocates for at least level funding for several EPA programs that utilize nature-based solutions to increase resilience and carbon sequestration, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Green America’s Communities, and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000203#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change mitigation","climate change adaptation","nature-based solutions","energy efficiency","greenhouse gas emissions","carbon sequestration"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy advocacy"]},{"id":"eesi-000199","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000199","title":"EESI Strongly Supports Energy Efficient Building Codes Amendment","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-03-05","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Media-Statement-Building-Energy-Codes-Amendment-American-Energy-Innovation-Act.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"EESI supports the addition of an amendment (S. Amdt. 1514) to the American Energy Innovation Act that would incorporate energy savings targets and technical assistance for building codes. The organization asserts that without these provisions, the bill's potential for emissions reductions is severely limited, noting that the building sector accounts for nearly 40 percent of total U.S. energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000199#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"EESI advocates for the adoption of amendment S. Amdt. 1514, which would integrate Sections 101 and 102 of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2019 into the American Energy Innovation Act. This amendment would require the Department of Energy (DOE) to create energy savings targets for building codes using input from code developers and local, state, and tribal authorities, while providing grants and technical assistance for code compliance and enforcement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000199#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The building sector is a major contributor to environmental impact, representing nearly 40 percent of the total energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000199#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"An analysis by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) regarding the Portman-Shaheen bill (and its House equivalent H.R. 3962) suggests that the legislation could reduce carbon emissions by 1.1 billion metric tons and generate over $41 billion in savings by 2050, primarily through building energy code provisions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000199#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"EESI contends that energy efficiency is the most accessible method for achieving measurable emissions reductions and that the absence of building energy code provisions in the current Senate energy bill unacceptably limits its climate benefits.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000199#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy efficiency","greenhouse gas emissions","renewable energy","Grid modernization","microgrid"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy advocacy"]},{"id":"eesi-000453","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000453","title":"Major energy bill missing key provisions to reduce emissions: energy-efficient building codes","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-03-02","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/major-energy-bill-missing-key-provisions-to-reduce-emissions-energy-efficient-building-codes","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The author contends that the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA) contains a critical gap due to the removal of building-code provisions from the Portman-Shaheen legislation. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), these missing provisions—Sections 101 and 102—would have saved Americans over $41 billion and reduced carbon emissions by 1.1 billion metric tons by 2050. The document rejects claims by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that energy-efficient codes make housing unaffordable, arguing instead that lower monthly utility bills improve long-term affordability and that such codes enhance building safety and resilience against extreme weather.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000453#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA) (S. 2657) is positioned to be the first major energy policy bill since the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, incorporating parts of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2019 (Portman-Shaheen).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000453#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Sections 101 and 102 of the Portman-Shaheen legislation, which focus on energy efficiency and cost-effective implementation of building codes, were removed from the AEIA following opposition from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000453#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Analysis by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) indicates that the omitted building-code provisions would have the most significant impact on energy efficiency, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 1.1 billion metric tons and saving over $41 billion through 2050.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000453#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Residential and commercial buildings are responsible for nearly 40 percent of the total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000453#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document asserts that energy-efficient construction improves housing affordability by lowering monthly utility bills and increases building durability during extreme weather events.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000453#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The missing provisions would have provided resources for state and local governments to pursue ambitious goals, including net-zero energy (NZE) buildings, which the Department of Energy (DOE) defines as buildings producing enough renewable energy to meet their own annual consumption.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000453#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy efficiency","building code","greenhouse gas emissions","sustainable architecture","renewable energy","Grid modernization","microgrid","carbon dioxide emissions"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","advocacy"]},{"id":"eesi-000412","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000412","title":"Coastal Resilience in the Southeast","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-03","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_031320.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document is a transcript of a virtual briefing featuring experts from NOAA, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, Wetlands Watch, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The discussion focuses on the implementation of natural infrastructure, such as living shorelines and coral reef restoration, to combat sea level rise and storm surge in the Southeast. Key topics include the use of NOAA's Digital Coast tools, the effectiveness of oyster-based shorelines in North Carolina, the impact of nuisance flooding and sea level rise in Virginia, and the threat of stony coral tissue loss disease in Florida. The panelists also discuss regulatory barriers, the need for improved cost-benefit analysis for nature-based solutions, and the importance of coordinated funding and permitting processes to enhance regional resilience.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"NOAA provides a suite of visualization and data tools through the Digital Coast partnership to help coastal decision-makers address hazards. These include the Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper for visualizing high-tide flooding and storm surge, and the Sea Level Rise Viewer, which applies National Climate Assessment scenarios to specific communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF), jointly administered by NOAA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, invests in restoring natural features like coastal marshes, wetlands, dunes, and coral reefs. In FY20, Congress appropriated 3 million dollars for the fund, which saw high demand with over 170 pre-proposals requesting 99.6 million dollars in 2019.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Living shorelines are presented as cost-effective, resilient alternatives to hard infrastructure like bulkheads and seawalls. In North Carolina, these projects often use recycled oyster shells in mesh bags to dissipate wave energy and recruit oysters, which helps prevent the 'scouring' effect caused by reflected wave energy from hard bulkheads.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Regulatory barriers to nature-based solutions have been reduced in North Carolina. As of April 1, 2019, small-scale living shorelines can be permitted as easily as bulkheads through a streamlined process involving the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permit, following collaboration between state and federal agencies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Coastal Virginia, particularly the Hampton Roads region, is experiencing some of the highest rates of sea-level rise on the East Coast, with recent rates reaching 5.4 millimeters per year. This has led to increased 'nuisance flooding' (sunny day flooding) and a significant strain on stormwater systems, which are unable to convey water during high tide events.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Virginia is implementing several high-level resilience strategies, including joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to generate approximately 100 million dollars annually for flood preparedness and energy efficiency. Additionally, Executive Order 24 mandated the development of a Coastal Master Plan and a state flood risk management standard for state-owned buildings.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Local governments in Virginia are adopting unified planning standards; for example, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) agreed to plan for 1.5 feet of sea level rise by 2050, 3 feet by 2080, and 4.5 feet by 2100 for long-term infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Florida's coral reefs provide significant economic and protective value, including over 330 million dollars annually in shoreline protection and over 1 billion dollars in flood reduction during severe storms. They also support 71,000 jobs and generate 6 billion dollars annually (based on 2001-2004 data).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A globally unprecedented outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease is affecting Florida's reefs and spreading into the Atlantic Caribbean. The disease is highly infectious, waterborne, and affects over 22 reef-building coral species with high mortality rates.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A major challenge for local resilience projects is the inconsistency and inequity of federal cost-benefit analysis (CBA) methodologies. For instance, the Army Corps of Engineers calculates benefits based on avoided flood losses, which can disadvantage low-to-moderate income communities where property values are lower, resulting in lower benefit-cost ratios (BCR).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000412#insight-10","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coastal management","sea level rise","coral reef restoration","storm surge","nature-based solutions","climate finance","environmental justice"],"geography_discussed":["North Carolina","Virginia","Florida","Hampton Roads","Q49231","Virginia Beach","Tybee Island","Netherlands"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy assessment","technical briefing","case study"]},{"id":"eesi-000413","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000413","title":"Financing Climate Mitigation and Resilience: Lessons from Hawaii","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-03","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_032020.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details Hawaii's approach to climate resilience through the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA), highlighting its use of non-traditional underwriting to democratize clean energy for low-income residents and renters. It discusses specific projects, such as the Kahauiki Village microgrid and the Kahuku Point coastal restoration, as models for combining mitigation and adaptation. The briefing also argues for the National Climate Bank Act to scale these models federally, noting that while mitigation is easier to finance due to cash flows, adaptation requires more innovative financial structures to address unpriced positive externalities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Green banks act as dedicated finance institutions that connect clean energy projects with capital, specifically targeting projects that are otherwise \"unfinanceable project in the eyes of the private sector.\"","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The proposed National Climate Bank Act, if capitalized with $35 billion, is estimated to generate over $1 trillion in total investment for a new clean power platform.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Financing for climate adaptation is more difficult than mitigation because adaptation projects, such as seawalls, often provide \"non-priced positive externality\" rather than quantifiable cash flows that lenders require.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) uses a \"Green Energy Money Saver On-Bill program\" (GEMS) that employs non-traditional underwriting, ignoring credit scores and debt-to-income ratios to increase access for vulnerable populations.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Kahauiki Village project demonstrated community resilience by using a microgrid to provide all energy needs for 30 families and several facilities for five months while the project was not yet connected to the utility grid.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Kahuku Point project on Oahu has restored seven acres of dune habitat and seen the return of albatross after decades of absence, utilizing a mix of state, city, and federal funding including the state Legacy Lands Program and the U.S. military's compatible use buffer zone.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Hawaii's Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission aims for carbon neutrality by 2045 and is currently assessing climate-induced risks to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and pension funds.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000413#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["Green bank","climate finance","climate change mitigation","climate change adaptation","coastal management","microgrid","nature-based solutions","carbon neutrality","energy storage","sea level rise"],"geography_discussed":["United States","Oahu","Florida","People's Republic of China"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study","financial assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000075","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000075","title":"Clean Future Act: A Cross-Sectoral Plan to Combat Climate Change","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-02-28","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/clean-future-act-a-cross-sectoral-plan-to-combat-climate-change","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The CLEAN Future Act proposes a national goal of a 100 percent clean economy by 2050, targeting the power, building, and transportation sectors. Key mechanisms include a national Clean Electricity Standard, zero energy ready building codes by 2030, and the establishment of a National Climate Bank. The act emphasizes environmental justice, state-level climate planning, and workforce development through renewable energy job training.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000075#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The CLEAN Future Act sets a national objective to reach a 100 percent clean economy by 2050 and includes near-term emissions reduction goals across various sectors of the U.S. economy.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000075#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the power sector, the bill proposes a national Clean Electricity Standard starting in 2022 to increase clean energy percentages, directs FERC to facilitate clean energy expansion, and provides for grid upgrades including security, resilience, and storage.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000075#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The act targets the building sector by requiring zero energy ready buildings by 2030, increasing funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for retrofits, and creating a Buy Clean Program for low-carbon construction materials.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000075#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Transportation decarbonization strategies include EPA-led vehicle performance and aircraft emissions standards, alongside investments in electric vehicles and related infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000075#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The bill introduces economy-wide mechanisms including mandatory State Climate Plans, a National Climate Bank for project financing, an Energy Workforce Grant Program for job training, and the integration of climate change into national security decisions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000075#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["Net-zero emissions","decarbonization","environmental justice","sustainable energy","electrical grid","energy storage","energy efficiency","building code","electric vehicle","climate finance","national security"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis"]},{"id":"eesi-000081","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000081","title":"Federal Resources for Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2020-02-19","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-federal-resources-for-nature-based-solutions-to-climate-change","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines a variety of U.S. federal programs—spanning the EPA, FEMA, HUD, NOAA, USDA, and USFWS—that provide grants, loans, and technical support for nature-based solutions. These projects, such as wetland restoration, green roofs, and urban forestry, are designed to reduce climate-related hazards like flooding and heat waves while providing carbon sequestration and economic co-benefits. The fact sheet details the eligibility and specific applications of these resources, illustrating their use through examples in cities and states across the U.S.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000081#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Nature-based solutions, which restore or emulate natural systems, can be more cost-effective than traditional engineered projects in reducing damage from natural hazards and provide critical co-benefits such as carbon sequestration.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000081#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) manages several programs supporting nature-based solutions, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for low-interest loans, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for wetland restoration and green stormwater infrastructure, and the Greening America’s Communities program for sustainable urban design.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000081#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"FEMA provides funding through the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) programs to reduce repetitive flood damage and develop resilient infrastructure before disasters occur.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000081#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Other federal agencies offer specialized resources for nature-based resilience: HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) supports urban tree planting and stormwater management; NOAA's Community-based Restoration Program focuses on coastal and marine habitats; the USDA's Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program enhances urban forests to moderate temperatures and manage runoff; and the USFWS Coastal Program provides assistance for coastal ecosystem resilience.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000081#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nature-based solutions","climate resilience","carbon sequestration","green infrastructure","water quality","urban forestry","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":["New Paltz","Washington, D.C.","Bellingham","Ohio","Oklahoma City","Lake Charles","Denver","Sebastian County","Chelsea","Detroit","Humboldt County","Oregon","Texas"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["survey"]},{"id":"eesi-000274","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000274","title":"Federal Resources for Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2020-02","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_Nature-Based_Solutions_Funding.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines federal resources for nature-based solutions (NbS), which include green and natural infrastructure designed to increase resilience to climate impacts like flooding and extreme heat. It details specific programs from agencies such as the EPA, FEMA, HUD, NOAA, USDA, and USFWS, highlighting their eligibility criteria and providing real-world examples of projects, such as wetland restoration in California and urban forestry in Oregon. The text emphasizes that NbS can be more cost-effective than traditional engineered projects and provide co-benefits like carbon sequestration and improved water quality.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000274#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Nature-based solutions, which restore or emulate natural systems, can reduce damage from natural hazards as effectively as or better than traditional engineered projects, often at a lower cost.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000274#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Federal support for nature-based solutions is categorized into green infrastructure (hybrid systems combining gray infrastructure with nature), natural infrastructure (restoring existing landscapes like forests and wetlands), and urban-focused solutions such as increasing tree canopies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000274#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The EPA provides multiple funding streams for nature-based solutions, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for low-interest loans and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) which prioritizes wetland restoration and green stormwater infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000274#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"FEMA offers grants for disaster mitigation, such as the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) programs, the latter of which is being replaced by the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000274#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Other federal agencies provide specialized NbS support: HUD's CDBG program funds urban tree planting and stormwater management; NOAA's Community-based Restoration Program focuses on coastal and marine habitats; and the USDA's Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program assists in conserving and enhancing urban forests.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000274#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Program provides assistance for coastal ecosystem resilience and demonstrates high leverage, averaging $8 from partners for every $1 spent by the program.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000274#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["nature-based solutions","climate resilience","green infrastructure","carbon sequestration","water quality","urban forestry"],"geography_discussed":["New Paltz","Washington, D.C.","Bellingham","Ohio","Oklahoma City","Lake Charles","Denver","Sebastian County","Chelsea","Detroit","Humboldt County","Oregon","Texas"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["survey","resource guide"]},{"id":"eesi-000411","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000411","title":"Coastal Resilience in the Great Lakes Region","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-02","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_021320.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details efforts to enhance coastal resilience in the Great Lakes region through nature-based solutions, such as wetland restoration and climate-smart agriculture. It highlights the role of the Coastal Assembly in coordinating bi-national wetland restoration and the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission's (GLIFWC) use of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to assess species vulnerability. The briefing also emphasizes the importance of soil health in carbon sequestration and the need for federal policy modernization, including updates to the Stafford Act and expanded funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Great Lakes region is economically and environmentally vital, with the U.S. portion generating over three trillion dollars in GDP and the lakes containing more than 20 percent of the world's freshwater.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Climate change has already caused a 2.3 degree temperature increase in the Great Lakes region between 1951 and 2017, extending the growing season by 16 days and increasing the frequency and intensity of precipitation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Historical injustices, such as redlining in the 1920s and 30s, continue to impact urban resilience; for example, redlined neighborhoods in Minneapolis experience a temperature differential of 10.8 degrees compared to Double-A rated neighborhoods due to urban heat island effects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Coastal Assembly, a bi-national organization of 22 agencies, focuses on restoring coastal wetlands, noting that over 50 percent of wetlands in the U.S. side of the Great Lakes basin have been lost.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Ohio's H2Ohio Initiative has allocated 172 million dollars in state funds for water quality improvements this biennium, with approximately 46 million dollars specifically for on-the-ground wetland restoration.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) uses a vulnerability assessment that combines Western science with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to identify risks to culturally important species, finding wild rice to be the most vulnerable.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Agricultural land in the U.S. represents 40 percent of the landmass and has significant potential for carbon sequestration through climate-smart practices, such as the use of cover crops to improve soil health and hold nutrients.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) recommends that the federal government modernize the Stafford Act, update FEMA disaster funding, and expand the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative into a 'Great Lakes Restoration and Resilience Initiative'.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000411#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coastal management","nature-based solutions","climate change adaptation","carbon sequestration","Climate-smart agriculture","urban heat island","water quality","climate finance","social equity"],"geography_discussed":["United States","Canada","Ohio","Wisconsin","Michigan","Minnesota","Detroit","Milwaukee","Duluth","Marquette","Minneapolis"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy briefing","expert testimony"]},{"id":"eesi-000055","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000055","title":"Environmental justice should be central to our work to advance climate solutions every day","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-01-17","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/environmental-justice-should-be-central-to-our-work-to-advance-climate-solutions-every-day","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document asserts that low-income and minority communities disproportionately suffer from negative environmental impacts and that the transition to a decarbonized economy must embed environmental justice to ensure no one is left behind. It highlights the importance of centering the lived experiences of impacted residents, citing the Green Door Initiative's efforts to provide workforce training for brownfield cleanup in Detroit and the LA SAFE program's community-centered resilience work in coastal Louisiana.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000055#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Low-income and minority communities in the United States experience disproportionate negative environmental impacts, including higher proximity to fossil fuel facilities and hazardous waste sites, as well as reduced urban tree cover.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000055#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In Detroit, Michigan, the Green Door Initiative addresses the legacy of automotive manufacturing pollution by training local residents to clean up brownfield sites, thereby linking economic opportunity with environmental restoration.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000055#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Louisiana Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments (LA SAFE) program is cited as an example of effective community-centered resilience that engages coastal Louisiana residents in addressing land loss and shared community needs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000055#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A federal court ruling regarding a proposed gas pumping station in Union Hill, Virginia, established that environmental justice is a substantive requirement rather than a mere formality in regulatory analysis.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000055#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["environmental justice","decarbonization","renewable energy commercialization","workforce development"],"geography_discussed":["Union Hill","Virginia","Detroit","Michigan","Louisiana"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","policy argument"]},{"id":"eesi-000054","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000054","title":"EESI's board of directors adopted the following board resolution establishing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as core EESI values","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-01","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/about/eesi-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-board-resolution","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags"],"summary":{"text":"In January 2020, the EESI Board of Directors adopted a resolution designating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as core organizational values. The resolution acknowledges that climate change disproportionately burdens marginalized groups and establishes a Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to guide policy development and ensure accountability.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000054#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"EESI identifies a direct link between diversity and the effectiveness of sustainable energy advocacy, noting that climate change creates disproportionate burdens for indigenous people, communities of color, and low-income communities who have faced institutional discrimination and racism.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000054#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The organization has formally endorsed DEI as core values to strengthen its internal community and ensure that its programs and policies support an equitable transition toward a clean energy economy that is decarbonized.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000054#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To implement these values and maintain accountability, the Board of Directors has created a specific Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to oversee the development of new programs and policies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000054#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate justice","renewable energy commercialization","decarbonization"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":[]},{"id":"eesi-000380","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000380","title":"ON-BILL FINANCING: EXPANDING ACCESS TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY, CLEAN ENERGY ADOPTION, AND ELECTRIFICATION FOR EVERYONE","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"research paper","language":"en","date_published":"2020","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/Report-On-Bill-Financing-For-Solar-Energy-Miguel-Yanez.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The paper argues that well-designed on-bill financing programs remove financial barriers for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households by eliminating upfront costs and using utility payment history instead of credit scores for underwriting. It highlights that tying financing obligations to the utility meter rather than the individual allows renters and subsequent homeowners to benefit from upgrades, solving the 'split incentive' problem. The author presents two case studies: the Hawaii Green Energy Money Saver (GEM$) program, which focuses on solar PV and energy efficiency, and the Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) Switch It Up! program, which emphasizes beneficial electrification. Both programs report zero defaults in their first year of operation, demonstrating the viability of alternative underwriting and the use of loan loss reserves to manage risk.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000380#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"On-bill financing programs can increase energy affordability and equity for rural and LMI communities by removing upfront costs and using alternative underwriting based on utility bill payment history rather than traditional credit scores.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000380#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Tying the financing obligation to the utility meter instead of the individual allows the debt to transfer to new owners or renters, which addresses the 'split incentive' issue where landlords lack motivation to invest in efficiency for tenants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000380#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Hawaii Green Energy Money Saver (GEM$) program, funded by a green bank, provides financing for solar PV and energy efficiency to LMI customers of Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO), requiring a minimum 10 percent net monthly energy savings to ensure positive cash flow.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000380#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) Switch It Up! program in Washington state uses a $20.8 million no-interest loan from the USDA's Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) to finance beneficial electrification, such as replacing propane heating with electric heat pumps.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000380#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Both the GEM$ and OPALCO programs utilize loan loss reserves (LLR) to protect the utility and participants, allowing the utility to write off investments if a participant fails to make payments for three consecutive billing cycles.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000380#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Rural Americans face significantly higher energy burdens than urban residents, paying on average 40 percent more for energy, which exacerbates the need for equitable financing tools.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000380#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy efficiency","photovoltaics","energy access","energy justice","distributed generation","Green bank","heat pump"],"geography_discussed":["Washington","San Juan Islands","Arkansas"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","policy analysis","financial model assessment"]},{"id":"eesi-000520","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000520","title":"Resilience along the West Coast","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-12","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_120419.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document is a transcript of a congressional briefing on West Coast coastal resilience. Experts from the USGS, California coastal agencies, and the Puget Sound region discuss the physical drivers of sea level rise, the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, and various adaptation strategies. Key discussions include the 'coastal squeeze' effect on beaches, the use of nature-based 'soft shore' stabilization in Washington, and the implementation of regional planning and environmental justice policies in the San Francisco Bay Area.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Sea level rise is driven primarily by the 'steric effect' (ocean expansion due to heat absorption) and the melting of land-based ice sheets and glaciers, each contributing roughly half of the observed rise over the last century.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Projections for the next century suggest an average sea level rise of about three feet, though the upper limit could reach ten feet. If global temperatures equilibrate to 2 degrees Celsius, sea levels could eventually rise by 26 feet.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Along the California coast, between 200,000 and 600,000 people and $40-150 billion in property could be exposed to flooding over the next century, representing a potential risk of 2 to 6 percent of GDP.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Critical infrastructure at risk on the West Coast includes sewage treatment plants, major international airports (San Francisco, Oakland, and San Diego), the Port of Seattle and Tacoma, the ports of LA and Long Beach, and Department of Defense facilities such as Naval Base Kitsap.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 'coastal squeeze' occurs when rising seas and upland development pin beaches in place, preventing their natural landward migration and potentially drowning up to half of some Southern California beaches.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Rising sea levels cause the groundwater table to rise, which can lead to flooding from below even in areas protected by walls or berms, and may increase the risk of soil liquefaction during earthquakes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"California's coastal management employs three primary adaptation strategies: protection (e.g., seawalls), accommodation (e.g., elevating homes on caissons), and retreat (both planned and unplanned).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) has pivoted from stopping bay fill to managing a growing bay, recently adopting amendments to allow 'fill for habitats' (such as horizontal levees) and to integrate environmental justice and social equity into its policies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In Puget Sound, the 'Shore Friendly' program uses social marketing and technical assistance to encourage homeowners to replace damaging hard shoreline armor with 'soft shore stabilization' techniques using beach nourishment, logs, and plants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000520#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","coastal management","nature-based solutions","environmental justice","coastal erosion","land-use planning","climate change adaptation"],"geography_discussed":["San Francisco Bay","Puget Sound","New York City","Louisiana","Maryland","New Jersey"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["hazard assessment","policy review","case study"]},{"id":"eesi-000201","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000201","title":"eesi-recommendations-to-house-select-climate-crisis-committee-2019.11-21b7d790757c87b8.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2019-11-22","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Recommendations-to-House-Select-Climate-Crisis-Committee-2019.11.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) outlines a comprehensive strategy for the U.S. to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. Key recommendations include restoring CAFE standards, investing in sustainable aviation fuels and electric aircraft, establishing national energy efficiency and renewable portfolio standards, and targeting net-zero energy for new buildings by 2050. The report emphasizes environmental justice, calling for a national climate bank and increased funding for the Rural Energy Savings Program. It also advocates for carbon pricing with border tax adjustments, the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, and a transition to a circular economy to reduce plastic pollution.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The transportation sector is the highest-emitting sector in the U.S. as of 2017. EESI recommends the immediate restoration of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and the development of sustainable alternative fuels (SAF) and electric propulsion for aircraft to reduce emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To decarbonize the electric power sector, the U.S. should implement a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) and a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to ensure national uniformity in increasing renewable energy use.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The building sector accounts for over one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. EESI proposes a goal of net-zero energy (NZE) consumption for new buildings by 2050 and prioritizes retrofitting existing buildings and federal facilities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Environmental justice must be central to decarbonization. Recommendations include requiring federal agencies to address impacts on low-income and minority communities, increasing funding for the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), and establishing a national climate bank that prioritizes marginalized communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A carbon price should be implemented as part of a broader strategy, including a border tax adjustment to prevent 'carbon leakage' and incentivize other countries to adopt carbon pricing. Additionally, the U.S. should eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, estimated at roughly $20 billion per year.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Innovation should focus on renewable baseload power (such as geothermal, hydropower, and concentrating solar power) and the domestic recovery of rare earth minerals through recycling to ensure national energy security.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Community resilience requires reforming the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to address its solvency crisis and prioritizing nature-based solutions, such as wetland and mangrove restoration, which can be more cost-effective than traditional 'gray' infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. should reestablish global leadership by committing to the Paris Agreement and utilizing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to guide domestic and international climate action.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. needs to transition to a circular economy for petroleum-based products to minimize resource extraction and reduce plastic pollution, moving away from the current linear cycle of production and landfilling.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Federal budget scoring by the CBO and OMB should be revised to incorporate the long-term benefits and costs of climate change, specifically prioritizing human health and environmental considerations over short-term financial metrics.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000201#insight-10","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["greenhouse gas emissions","electric vehicle","Renewable portfolio standard","energy efficiency","sustainable architecture","engineered wood","environmental justice","carbon price","fossil fuel subsidy","nature-based solutions","Paris Agreement","circular economy","plastic pollution","greenhouse gas monitoring"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","India","Russia"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy recommendation"]},{"id":"eesi-000217","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000217","title":"LA SAFE from the Community’s Perspective","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-11-06","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/Elder_Donald_Bogen_110619.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document highlights the social disruption caused by relocation under LA SAFE, noting that 40% of surveyed individuals know friends or neighbors who have left and 25% know family who have left. It argues that government-led planning often lacks inclusiveness, with communities frequently asked to comment on plans they did not create.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000217#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Relocation associated with the LA SAFE approach has significant negative effects on mental and physical health, described as being similar to a death.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000217#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A survey funded by the National Association of Realtors indicates that 40% of people know friends or neighbors who have left and 25% know family who have left.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000217#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Government-led planning processes are criticized for lacking inclusiveness, as communities are typically asked to provide feedback on plans they were not involved in creating.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000217#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":[],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["community perspective"]},{"id":"eesi-000344","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000344","title":"Community-Centered Resilience: Lessons from Louisiana","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-11-06","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/Mathew_Sanders_110619.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines a resilience planning framework in Louisiana that utilizes extensive community engagement to identify challenges and develop project portfolios. Through 71 community meetings and the participation of 2,835 individuals in 2017, the process identified key strategies such as improved drainage, coastal restoration, and affordable housing. The 'LA SAFE' approach combined community-rated strategies with flood risk data to create draft projects across six parishes, focusing on high-ground growth corridors and supply chain planning.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000344#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The resilience planning process in 2017 involved significant public outreach, consisting of 71 community meetings with 2,835 individual participants to identify challenges and propose strategies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000344#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 'LA SAFE' methodology integrated the most highly rated community strategies with existing parish efforts and future flood risk data to develop draft projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000344#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The selected project portfolio based on popular community strategies includes diverse infrastructure and social needs, such as improved drainage systems, coastal restoration and jobs training, affordable housing options, and the creation of a full-time drain maintenance department.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000344#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["flood risk","community resilience","affordable housing","public transport"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy framework","community engagement"]},{"id":"eesi-000084","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000084","title":"Cities, Counties, and States Step Up Amidst Trump's Decision to Leave Paris Agreement","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2019-11-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/cities-counties-and-states-step-up-amidst-trumps-decision-to-leave-paris-agreement","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute criticizes the U.S. decision to exit the Paris Agreement, noting that the formal exit date is set for November 4, 2020. Despite this federal withdrawal, the document highlights a surge in subnational commitments to 100 percent clean energy, with one in four Americans now living in such areas. It specifically identifies the 'We Are Still In' coalition and the U.S. Climate Alliance as key drivers of this momentum, alongside corporate commitments through the RE100 program.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000084#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"President Trump initiated the formal process to remove the United States from the Paris Agreement on November 4, 2019, with the official exit date scheduled for November 4, 2020.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000084#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Subnational momentum for clean energy is increasing, with the Sierra Club reporting that one in four Americans now reside in a location committed to 100 percent clean electricity, an increase from one in five just three months prior.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000084#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 'We Are Still In' coalition has gathered over 3,500 commitments to meet the Paris Agreement from a diverse group including mayors, governors, tribal leaders, businesses, and investors.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000084#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"While only Hawaii and California had previously committed to 100 percent renewable energy, they have been joined by Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Washington, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000084#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the private sector, the RE100 program, led by The Climate Group, has seen more than 200 companies commit to sourcing 100 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2050 at the latest.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000084#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["Paris Agreement","renewable energy","greenhouse gas emissions","renewable electricity","climate policy"],"geography_discussed":["Hawaii","California","Maine","Nevada","New Mexico","New York","Washington","District of Columbia","Puerto Rico"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["statement"]},{"id":"eesi-000425","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000425","title":"Community-Centered Resilience: Lessons from Louisiana","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2019-11","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_110619.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details the LA Safe program, which combined state-led data from the Coastal Master Plan with grassroots engagement to develop land-use strategies and fund resilience projects in coastal Louisiana. It emphasizes the importance of building trust through leadership programs like 'Lead the Coast' and the necessity of integrating long-term adaptation planning into state agency operations to address the 'existential emergency' of land loss.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Louisiana faces an enhanced effect of relative sea level rise because the land is sinking while seas rise, leading to a 'skeletal condition' of the state's coastline compared to its 1960 shape.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The LA Safe initiative focused on a six-parish area that, prior to 2017, accounted for 8.5% of all historic National Flood Insurance Program payouts (excluding Orleans Parish).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The LA Safe process utilized a community-led design, involving 71 public outreach events and over 2,800 participants to develop a 'crowd-sourced land-use plan' and select 10 investment projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To ensure equitable engagement, the 'Lead the Coast' program trained local residents as facilitators, providing them with stipends of $15 per hour to lead difficult conversations about land loss and relocation within their own communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The program's financial investment totaled approximately $5 million to $5.5 million, with the state contributing $4 million and the Foundation for Louisiana spending about $1 million to $1.5 million.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Adaptation planning in Louisiana is categorized into three levels of emergency: 'real' (immediate disaster aftermath), 'conceptual' (managing changing systems and benchmarks), and 'existential' (shifting worldviews and the potential disappearance of communities).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a significant disconnect between short-term disaster recovery funding and long-term adaptation planning, as state and federal agencies often operate in rigid 'lanes' that do not align with multi-dimensional local needs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 2017 Coastal Master Plan was the first state document to openly acknowledge that land cannot be built more quickly than it is being lost and that some communities may not exist in 10 to 50 years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000425#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coastal management","sea level rise","flood risk","climate justice","community engagement","climate migration"],"geography_discussed":["Terrebonne Parish","Lafourche Parish","St. John the Baptist Parish","St. Tammany Parish","Plaquemines Parish","Jefferson","Baton Rouge"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study","program evaluation"]}]}