It’s been a year since catastrophic fires tore through Los Angeles. For those who lived through them, the impacts are still being felt. Rebuilding in the aftermath of more frequent and severe fossil-fueled disasters is becoming a big business. Enter the disaster economy, powered by a grab bag of dedicated people helping communities rebuild, and by contractors who may overpromise, underdeliver, and profit from tragedy. Caught in the middle are the survivors, often left to navigate red tape, scams, and soaring costs just to rebuild their lives.

In this episode, produced in collaboration with Grist, we explore the people and systems behind this booming, often exploitative multi-billion dollar industry, and share strategies to help listeners stay protected.

Episode Guests:

Haley Geller, Photo Stylist; Mother

Ayurella Horn Muller, Staff Writer, Grist

Cricket Logan, Wastewater Management Mechanic, City of St. Petersburg, Florida

Naveena Sadasivam, Writer and Editor, Grist

For show notes, related links, and episode transcript, visit ClimateOne.org

Highlights:

00:00 - Intro

05:06 - Haley Geller on her personal wildfire experience

07:22 - Haley Geller on how life has changed since the fire

11:04 - Haley Geller on navigating the recovery process

16:21 - Ayurella Horn Muller on covering recovery workers

18:39 - Cricket Logan on his disaster recovery work experience

24:16 - Ayurella Horn Muller on the mental health work of disaster recovery

28:25 - Ayurella Horn Muller on working conditions for recovery workers

38:03 - Naveena Sadasivam on talking to people who experienced disaster recovery

40:22 - Naveena Sadasivam on one person’s experience with rebuilding after a fire

49:51 - Naveena Sadasivam on what regulations exist to help prevent fraud

53:41 - Naveena Sadasivam on steps people can take to protect themselves

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Inside The Chaotic, Lucrative ‘Disaster Economy’ With Grist