Jeff Gitterman, Managing Director at Perigon Wealth Management, joins Remy Blaire at the New York Stock Exchange to discuss the significance of nature-based climate solutions in the context of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The segment opens with a brief overview of the current hurricane season, noting that it has produced nine named storms and four hurricanes by early October. Remarkably, this year marks the first time in a decade that no hurricane has made landfall in the continental U.S. during September, providing much-needed relief to homeowners and the property insurance market.
Remy introduces the concept of nature-based solutions, which leverage natural processes to capture carbon and enhance resilience against climate-related disasters. Jeff explains that traditional economic models often focus solely on inputs and outputs, neglecting the broader implications of these actions. He emphasizes the importance of adopting a circular view of economics, where the negative outputs of depleting natural resources, such as mangroves and coral reefs, are considered alongside the benefits.
The conversation delves into the timeline for implementing these nature-based solutions. Jeff highlights that while mangroves and coral reefs are rapidly depleting due to climate change, they can be regrown relatively quickly. He points out that the loss of these ecosystems not only threatens biodiversity but also has significant economic repercussions, particularly for tourism in regions that rely on healthy marine environments.
Remy and Jeff discuss various locations where nature-based solutions are currently being implemented, including mangrove development in Florida, coastal initiatives in Virginia, and barrier reef projects near New York City. Jeff underscores the importance of integrating nature into building practices to protect both the environment and the communities that depend on these ecosystems.
As the segment nears its conclusion, Remy asks Jeff for his perspective on the unusual lack of hurricanes making landfall this September. Jeff attributes this phenomenon to global wind currents rather than solely to warming ocean temperatures, illustrating the interconnectedness of climate systems.