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By Stephen Jordan Communities today face disruptions that never trigger a federal disaster declaration — cyber incidents, heat waves, housing shocks, supply-chain interruptions, failing infrastructure, and more. Traditional disaster response frameworks were not built for this reality. They activate after something breaks. But what communities increasingly need is an approach that protects lives, livelihoods, and living environments every day , not only in crisis. This broader

By Stephen Jordan, CEO, Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), and David Dodd, CEO, International Sustainable Resilience Center (ISRC) We have stared down America's breaking points—not from textbooks, but from the rubble. For Stephen, it was Superstorm Sandy causing trees to crash in the backyard leaving the family huddled with neighbors during a week-long blackout. Housing repairs took months. David is so committed he lost a leg working on the economic recovery of Puer

By Stephen Jordan As we gather around tables this Thanksgiving, we're participating in a time-honored celebration of community in the United States today. Being together, appreciating the many blessings that we have been given - and not taking them for granted – are part of what bind us together, not just as families or friends or neighbors, but as Americans.   However, by some indicators, the fabric of our communities is coming apart. Do you know that only 26% of Americans

With Giving Tuesday coming up December 2, it’s a good moment to have a conversation about donations to communities hit hard by natural disasters. The rush to raise money after a natural disaster is dramatic and necessary. Search and rescue, relief, and crisis management are critically important. But there is no such urgency to support long-term recovery . Unfortunately for many families, that’s the disaster after the disaster. Long after the camera lights have turned off, peo

By Stephen Jordan I had an interesting conversation today with a senior corporate executive. As we wrapped up, she said something that made me realize we really need to clarify that the Institute for Sustainable Development is trying to break through with new concepts that the current frame of talking about community shocks and stresses doesn't take into account: “It’s a shame you focus so much on disasters.” At ISD, we actually don’t. Our mission is grounded in the opp