Multifamily Housing Buyouts for Managed Retreat

06/22/26

“Why do policymakers need to consider multifamily housing buyouts for managed retreat?”

Governing authorities can use home buyouts to move people out of flood-prone areas. The vast majority of home buyout program development is tailored to single-family property owners. However, multifamily housing units are also present in floodplains and hurricane paths. In the U.S., multi-family tenants are more likely to come from marginalized backgrounds, making them subject to the desires of their landlord. Tenants must have some form of financial, legal, and policy support to navigate their way to a new home successfully. Government authorities need to develop policies for Multifamily Housing Buyouts for Managed Retreat to fill this protection gap. This can include mandatory cash distribution to tenants for relocation, construction of new affordable housing nearby for the displaced residents, and priority for new apartments in the private market.

Why Kushner’s Tourism Development in Albania Will Destroy a Critical Wetland

06/20/26

“Why will the Kushner development in Albania destroy a critical wetland?”

The Vjosa–Narta lagoon provides a critical protected wetland habitat for Albania’s and the Mediterranean’s birds. Jared Kushner’s private equity firm Affinity Partners is (as of writing) funding a project that will destroy the lagoon to build a luxury tourism site. This is Why Kushner’s Tourism Development in Albania Will Destroy a Critical Wetland.

Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/

The New Jersey Blue Acres Program

06/19/26

“How does New Jersey use housing buyouts to build flood resilience?”

New Jersey is blessed with a myriad of coastlines and rivers. However, many homes are built in the floodplains of these bodies of water. It can be difficult for homeowners in these areas to sell their property on the private market. The New Jersey Blue Acres Program addresses this very problem. The program allows floodplain homeowners to sell their properties to the state at fair market value for the state to demolish and turn them into natural ecological resilience. This program has been a lifeline for many New Jersey residents.

VOC Release From Groundwater Rise

06/17/26

“How can groundwater rise release volatile organic compounds into buildings?”

Volatile organic compounds can contaminate groundwater through industrial pollution. When groundwater rises, the volatile organic compounds can vaporize and disperse into air pockets between soil pores. These can eventually migrate into indoor spaces through foundation cracks and building ventilation. This is how VOC Release From Groundwater Rise works.

Why Groundwater Rise Will Flood Pipes 

06/16/26

“Why will groundwater rise flood pipes?”

Climate change is causing groundwater to rise in many places. The elevated water table will hit underground infrastructure such as pipes. Groundwater will flood into the pipes through cracks and joints. The extra water in the pipes will reduce their capacity to convey stormwater and wastewater, leading to more infrastructure and public health damage. This is Why Groundwater Rise Will Flood Pipes.

How Pumps Can Lower Water Tables

06/15/26

“How can pumps lower water tables?”

People may need to lower water tables for construction, flood safety, or contamination remediation. One way to accomplish this is to use a pump to suck out the water from the aquifer like a straw. The water table will naturally get smaller when water is removed. This is How Pumps Can Lower Water Tables.

Image credit: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/

Why Historically Redlined Neighborhoods Are Especially Vulnerable to Pollution From Groundwater Flooding

06/07/26

“Why are historically redlined neighborhoods especially vulnerable to pollution from groundwater flooding?”

Redlining in the US forcibly segregated Black and Brown communities in urban areas into neighborhoods with the lowest amount of public investment. Racist municipal officials often would zone toxic industries in these neighborhoods. These industries would accumulate contaminants underground over their course of operation. Groundwater flooding releases these contaminants from the earth to the surface, harming the communities that live nearby. This is Why Historically Redlined Neighborhoods Are Especially Vulnerable to Pollution From Groundwater Flooding. Examples include West Oakland in California and Southeast Queens in New York.

Image credit: https://savesfbay.org/

How Heavy Rains Can Increase Groundwater Contamination Risk 

06/06/26

“How can heavy rains increase groundwater contamination risk?”

The longer an area rains and the more rain it receives, the higher the volume of rainwater will seep into the groundwater. If pollutants are present on the surface, then infiltrated rainwater will carry them down into the groundwater and pollute it. This is How Heavy Rains Can Increase Groundwater Contamination Risk.