People often believe that natural disasters won’t happen to them, but life has many surprises. A hurricane, tornado or flood can quickly turn one’s life and home upside down. It’s not always possible for residents to prepare for these occurrences, which makes rebuilding a challenge. However, people don’t have to be left out in the cold. External forces have the power to protect against the worst of the destruction.
Impact investors play a significant role in facilitating recovery efforts. By putting money into the area, they provide residents with resources for repairing their communities. Disaster preparedness can mean the difference between life or death, and impact investing matters.
Natural Disaster Destruction
Natural disasters destroy numerous properties each year. Ten major weather events have occurred in 2019, with each of them exceeding $1 billion in losses. One of the most recent was Tropical Storm Imelda, which caused significant home, business and vehicle damage throughout Southeast Texas. These events come and go in the minds of those unaffected, but residents deal with the fallout for months and years afterward.
The real estate market takes a hit, too. The effect isn’t as pronounced in disaster areas, where people already expect and prepare for incidents. However, areas that don’t encounter much destruction often experience a significant drop in property values. Potential residents avoid the location because it no longer seems safe to them. Homes on the market have a harder time selling, and agents have to convince people to buy.
The lost revenue from decreased tourism can also put a dent in a city’s reconstruction plans. That’s why cities benefit from having investors who will kickstart repairs after the dust settles.
What Is Impact Investing?
Impact investing describes a method of philanthropy that facilitates social improvement in addition to financial gains. Businesses and individuals invest in organizations that benefit the community — such as a sustainable nonprofit. With natural disaster protection, investors put their money into buildings within a district, making it easier for locals to rebuild. Money and resources often prevent towns from bouncing back, but investors provide both of these assets.
Building information modeling can help with reconstructing destroyed buildings. Digital renderings let business partners collaborate on designs and view construction through a comprehensive lens. Building a home, mall or grocery store consists of numerous moving parts — everyone involved needs to stay on the same page for the project to succeed.
The 2015 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, is an example of impact investing in action. Contractors restructured the ruined buildings by using virtual forms, which they adjusted for improved durability and strength. Investors can use this technology and much more to help rebuild communities.
New Orleans helped its residents rebuild with dry creeks and enhanced infrastructure, while San Rafael, CA, has proposed levees and elevated structures to protect rising sea levels.