Duke Highlights Climate Resilience Strategies at Climate Week NYC

A group of people sitting on a stage. One is holding a microphone

This is a summary of a story on Duke Climate Commitment. 

As El Niño strengthens and extreme weather becomes more common, communities face growing risks from floods, drought and extreme heat. At Climate Week NYC 2026 (Sept. 20-27), Duke scholars participated in more than 25 events examining how communities can prepare for the coming year – and years to come.

Speakers emphasized that climate adaptation and resilience must become strategic, routine and sustained – before disasters strike. Universities can help by building coalitions, sharing data, supporting community-led research and connecting local needs with technical expertise. 

“Universities are catalyzers for programs and projects,” said Toddi Steelman, Duke’s vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability, who moderated the university-focused panel. “There is a role for universities in terms of coalition building, community engagement and data sharing.”

Speakers highlighted solutions-oriented adaptation projects across the country.

Duke participants also explored how universities can move resilience technologies from research to markets and stressed that infrastructure, housing, public health, economic development and equity must be addressed together.

Resources from Duke University:

Resilience Finance Guidebook for Local Governments

Built to Endure: A Smart Guide for US Cities to Build Resilient Infrastructure That Lasts

How States are Financing Property-Level Resilience: Lessons from Six States Scaling FORTIFIED Roof Adoption

The shared message: resilience requires community collaboration and sustained investment on a continuous basis.

Read the full story on Duke Climate Commitment.