First Street Finance - Financial Steps

First Street Foundation is a non-profit research and technology group focused on quantifying and communicating climate risk. They are best known for their publicly accessible, peer-reviewed datasets and tools that assess flood, wildfire, and extreme heat risks across the United States. Their primary objective is to provide individuals, communities, and governments with the information needed to understand and adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change. One of First Street Foundation’s flagship products is the Flood Factor, a freely available online tool that allows users to assess the flood risk for individual properties and communities. This tool uses sophisticated modeling techniques that account for current and future environmental conditions, including rising sea levels, increased precipitation, and changes in land use. Unlike traditional flood maps produced by FEMA, which are often based on historical data and may not fully incorporate the effects of climate change, Flood Factor provides a forward-looking assessment of flood risk. The organization leverages a comprehensive, high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) combined with hydrological and hydrodynamic models to simulate flood events. This allows them to estimate the depth and extent of flooding under various scenarios, considering different return periods (e.g., 100-year flood). They also incorporate information on existing flood defenses, such as levees and dams, to refine their risk assessments. Beyond flood risk, First Street Foundation has expanded its focus to include wildfire and extreme heat risk assessments. The Wildfire Factor, similar to Flood Factor, provides detailed information on the likelihood and intensity of wildfires affecting specific properties and regions. It uses factors such as vegetation density, historical fire data, and weather patterns to predict wildfire hazards. Similarly, they have developed tools to assess extreme heat vulnerability, considering factors like urban heat island effects and population demographics to identify areas and populations most at risk. The data generated by First Street Foundation is used by a wide range of stakeholders. Homeowners can use the information to understand the risks associated with their properties and make informed decisions about insurance, mitigation measures, and investments. Real estate professionals can leverage the data to assess property values and inform potential buyers about climate risks. Local governments can use the data to prioritize infrastructure investments, develop adaptation plans, and communicate risks to their constituents. Financial institutions, including mortgage lenders and insurance companies, are increasingly using First Street Foundation’s data to assess climate-related risks in their portfolios and inform their lending and underwriting decisions. First Street Foundation’s transparency and commitment to scientific rigor have earned them credibility among researchers, policymakers, and the public. Their publicly available data and tools are designed to empower individuals and communities to take action to mitigate and adapt to the challenges posed by a changing climate. They continually update their models and datasets as new scientific information becomes available, ensuring that their risk assessments are based on the best available evidence. They play a vital role in increasing awareness and understanding of climate risk and enabling more informed decision-making in a world increasingly impacted by the effects of climate change.