Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 5h

Charleston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. But it’s also one of the most flood-prone — where new developments and rising seas are colliding.

Building toward disaster: Growth collides with rising seas in Charleston

A billion-dollar seawall may shield the city’s wealthy core — but not the vulnerable communities beyond it. Who will be forced to move?

floodlightnews.org

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 11h

Floodlight’s model is built on collaboration — and we give all our stories away for others to republish, for free.

If you work in a newsroom, join our publisher network to get an email every time a new investigation is ready to share with your readers:

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Floodlight’s collaborative model depends on our distinguished news partners. Our stories have spanned the country — following disinformation and corruption wherever it crops up. In addition to…

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Reposted by Floodlight

papaesoco.bsky.social @papaesoco.bsky.social · 10d

As Millions in the US Face Climate Relocation, the First Attempt Bears a Warning truthout.org/articles/as-...

As Millions in the US Face Climate Relocation, the First Attempt Bears a Warning

The federal government worked to relocate Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles. What went wrong?

truthout.org

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 1d

In 2022, the Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles were moved to higher ground as part of the nation’s first federally funded climate relocation.

We went to their new community to hear how it’s already failing: “People should be held accountable.”

Leaving Home: Isle de Jean Charles

Louisiana's Isle de Jean Charles is so vulnerable to sea level rise the island became the focus of the first federally funded climate driven relocation project in U.S. history. Once a symbol of…

www.youtube.com

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 1d

Kipnuk, Alaska, is disappearing.

Flooding is eroding the permafrost bank protecting the village, and a $20 million EPA grant meant to stop it was abruptly canceled in May — part of a broader rollback of climate funding.

Floods are swallowing their village. But for them and others, the EPA has cut the lifeline.

The Trump administration has pulled more than $2.7 billion in climate grants, hitting vulnerable communities the hardest.

floodlightnews.org

Reposted by Floodlight

Daniel Aldrich @danielaldrich.bsky.social · 9d

This new chapter for former island residents is no fairy tale. They say their new homes are substandard, with rainwater seeping through doorways, malfunctioning appliances and flooded yards causing costly repairs floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...

As millions face climate relocation, the nation’s first attempt sparks warnings and regret

Three years after a federally funded move, Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles report broken homes — and promises

floodlightnews.org

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 2d

“This is supposed to be a model. Not just for us. For the rest of the country, maybe the world. So why did it fail?”

As millions face climate relocation, the nation’s first federally-funded attempt left families with crumbling houses and broken trust.

floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 2d

📚 What the Floodlight team is reading: almost a third of Americans live in unincorporated communities beyond city limits, where disaster aid can confuse and frustrate, @grist.org reports:

Texas floods showed why many rural communities feel abandoned in a crisis

Almost a third of Americans live in unincorporated communities beyond city limits, where disaster aid can confuse and frustrate.

grist.org

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Reposted by Floodlight

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 3d

In 2016, Louisiana received $48.3 million to relocate 37 residents or families of Isle de Jean Charles as climate-charged hurricanes and sea-level rise made the community uninhabitable.

Years later, Indigenous residents report broken homes — and promises.

From our friends at @floodlightnews.org:

America's first attempt to tackle climate relocation sparks regret

Three years after a federally funded move, Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles report broken homes — and promises.

www.motherjones.com

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 3d

"Clean energy is booming. In 2024 alone:
☀️ Solar power up 27% — enough to power 28M homes
🌬️ Wind power generated enough for 42M homes
🔋 Battery storage capacity jumped 63%
🚗 EV charging ports grew 24%, now over 218,000 nationwide

Even in red America, clean energy is booming. But now, huge renewable projects are dead.

Political uncertainty under Trump has dampened the market, with nearly $8 billion in clean energy projects scrapped or cut back already this year.

floodlightnews.org

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 3d

Leaving Home is our new series on climate relocation.

As rising seas force millions in the U.S. to flee the coasts, we ask: are we ready?

👉 Read more:

Leaving Home - Floodlight

As climate change forces sea levels to rise, many in the U.S. will flee the coasts. Are we ready?

floodlightnews.org

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 3d

“I never expected that relocation was going to happen in my lifetime. Now that it has happened, it’s not a celebration.”

After a federally funded move inland, Indigenous residents of Isle de Jean Charles say their new homes are already falling apart.

floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 4d

The cement industry says it’s aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. But without sustained government help, experts say that goal is likely out of reach — especially after the Trump administration canceled key EPA grants.

It’s the second-most-used substance on Earth — and a major climate threat

The cement industry has set ambitious climate goals. But as federal funding dries up, its path to decarbonization is in doubt.

floodlightnews.org

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 4d

“Let me put it to you this way: They went ahead and built houses. But they forgot they were building homes.”

Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles became the first federally-funded climate relocation in the U.S. Floodlight went to hear how the new community is already failing its residents:

Leaving Home: Isle de Jean Charles

Louisiana's Isle de Jean Charles is so vulnerable to sea level rise the island became the focus of the first federally funded climate driven relocation project in U.S. history. Once a symbol of…

www.youtube.com

1

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 4d

Floodlight’s model is built on collaboration — and we give all our stories away for others to republish, for free.

If you work in a newsroom, join our publisher network to get an email every time a new investigation is ready to share with your readers:

Republish Us

Floodlight’s collaborative model depends on our distinguished news partners. Our stories have spanned the country — following disinformation and corruption wherever it crops up. In addition to…

floodlightnews.org

1

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 5d

Patrick Sanders, who worked on Louisiana’s first federally funded climate relocation, says governments can’t afford to wait until disaster hits:

“States need to lean in on the idea that they're going to have to be engaged in relocation activities before they think they need to.”

As millions face climate relocation, the nation’s first attempt sparks warnings and regret

Three years after a federally funded move, Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles report broken homes — and promises

floodlightnews.org

Reposted by Floodlight

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 5d

In 2016, Louisiana received $48.3 million to relocate 37 residents or families of Isle de Jean Charles as climate-charged hurricanes and sea-level rise made the community uninhabitable.

Years later, Indigenous residents report broken homes — and promises.

From our friends at @floodlightnews.org:

America's first attempt to tackle climate relocation sparks regret

Three years after a federally funded move, Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles report broken homes — and promises.

www.motherjones.com

4 38 120

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 5d

In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, leaders rezoned land and offered free property to lure an EV plant that was supposed to bring thousands of jobs.

Today, the site sits empty, and locals say they haven’t heard from the company in months.

A startup promised 45,000 EV jobs to struggling towns. They’re still waiting.

Desperate for jobs, three communities embraced a bold electric vehicle promise. Now, they’re left with questions—and no jobs.

floodlightnews.org

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 5d

Charleston is building a $1.3B seawall to protect its historic downtown from rising seas. But neighborhoods like Rosemont — a historically Black community that already floods — are left outside its protection.

Building toward disaster: Growth collides with rising seas in Charleston

A billion-dollar seawall may shield the city’s wealthy core — but not the vulnerable communities beyond it. Who will be forced to move?

floodlightnews.org

1

Reposted by Floodlight

John Schwartz @jswatz.bsky.social · 10d

Increasingly, we're going to see climate refugees, even from parts of the United States. So far, we haven't figured out how to move them. insideclimatenews.org/news/2809202...

As Millions Face Climate Relocation, the Nation’s First Attempt Sparks Warnings and Regret - Inside Climate News

Three years after a federally funded move, Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles report broken homes—and promises.

insideclimatenews.org

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 6d

This is the New Isle. It was meant to be a national model for climate relocation — a fresh start for residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles, which was being swallowed by rising tides. But three years on, families report broken homes and broken promises.

floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 6d

Clean energy promises lower bills and more reliable power. But what happens when solar panels won’t fit on crumbling roofs? Or when old wiring can’t support new heat pumps? That’s the reality in many formerly redlined communities, Floodlight found:

Redlining Shaped the Power Grid. Communities of Color Are Still Paying the Price.

The clean energy transition is moving forward, but the legacy of segregation leaves many urban neighborhoods locked out.

floodlightnews.org

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 6d

“I feel like we got lied to. To be honest with you.”

Louisiana is home to the nation's first federally funded climate relocation. But the new homes meant to keep residents safe are already falling apart, Floodlight found:

Leaving Home: Isle de Jean Charles

Louisiana's Isle de Jean Charles is so vulnerable to sea level rise the island became the focus of the first federally funded climate driven relocation project in U.S. history. Once a symbol of…

www.youtube.com

1

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 7d

Google now lets you choose which outlets appear in your top stories. If you’d like more Floodlight in your feed, it only takes a click.

Follow this link 👇 check the box ☑️ and you’re done! 🎉

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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 7d

The “New Isle” settlement was built to house Indigenous families displaced by climate change in coastal Louisiana.

But residents report leaking doors, broken appliances, and homes that feel like they’re leaning. “We should not have this many complaints."

As millions face climate relocation, the nation’s first attempt sparks warnings and regret

Three years after a federally funded move, Indigenous residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles report broken homes — and promises

floodlightnews.org

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