Atlas of Disaster: New Jersey & Vermont provides a county-level analysis of climate-related disasters from 2011 to 2023, focusing on federally declared events, disaster funding allocations, and areas with high social vulnerability. Each report presents localized findings, incorporating climate statistics, state-specific reports, and recent news coverage to highlight the unique risks in each state. By mapping disaster occurrences alongside legislative district boundaries, the Atlas serves as a tool to support grassroots campaigns, enabling communities to advocate for climate resilience funding tailored to their regional needs.

Building on the successful passage of New York State’s $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act, Rebuild by Design has intensified its efforts in New Jersey and Vermont to promote similar funding initiatives. The reports outline potential state-level funding mechanisms, such as insurance surcharges and climate superfunds, aimed at creating dedicated resources for proactive infrastructure investment. In collaboration with local organizations, Rebuild by Design is working toward a more equitable and preventative approach to disaster relief, recognizing that taxpayer dollars are already allocated to reactive recovery. By shifting the focus to pre-disaster resilience, these initiatives seek to protect communities and reduce long-term costs associated with climate-driven events.

Read the Atlas: New Jersey here >>

Featured in the following media outlets:

• Aug 3, 2023 – Seven Days Vermont: Report Catalogs Vermont’s Growing Litany of Disasters
• Aug 5, 2024 – The New York Times: Federal disasters declared in NJ, 2011-2023