Facing Climate Disasters, Young Americans Deserve a Strong ‘Ecosocial’ Safety Net

As climate change persists and natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity, it’s overtly apparent that America’s climate-focused social programs are woefully ill-equipped to help us cope with the effects of these crises. While Gen Z and millennials overall are making monumental progress toward equitable climate change adaptation, it’s imperative that we rethink our government’s approach to mitigating climate risks.

We have a right to be protected from the social and economic risks brought on by climate change through natural disasters — something I call “ecosocial” rights. And we can guarantee that happens by reforming our ecosocial safety net.