Natural disasters are projected to cost the U.S. nearly $40 billion annually by 2075, highlighting the escalating financial burden of climate-driven disasters. The mounting devastation caused by these extreme events underscores a sobering reality: inaction on current and future construction will only deepen the economic and human toll.
The Trump administration and the new Congress must act decisively to protect the economy’s stability and our communities’ safety. At the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub, we advance research and develop tools that empower stakeholders—policymakers, insurance companies, code officials, and developers—to enhance building strength and durability by integrating materials science, structural engineering, and economic modeling. We propose enforcing updated building and infrastructure codes, prioritizing the use of stronger materials, and instituting tax incentives to encourage stronger construction.
