Steve Koller
@stevekoller.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Fellow in Climate and Housing at Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Researching natural hazard risk mitigation, insurance, decarbonization, related policy.
https://jchs.harvard.edu
https://jchs.harvard.edu
Pinned
Steve Koller
@stevekoller.bsky.social
· Apr 14
Vehicle flood damage and household disaster assistance in the United States
Vehicles are the most commonly-owned nonfinancial asset in the United States (US) and represent a relatively high share of net worth for low-wealth households. Despite rising flood exposure from urba...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
After a recent storm, perhaps you've seen a photo of a car underwater and wondered what happens to the car and the owner? In a new paper titled "Vehicle flood damage and household disaster assistance in the US," I take a look into this issue. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... 🧵(1/6)
Reposted by Steve Koller
Where did the rule that people shouldn't spend more than 30% of their income on housing come from, and is it still relevant? @hannahgrabenstein.bsky.social @pbsnews.org talks to our managing director Chris Herbert & @hatethegamebook.com.
youtu.be/QI8PUjxs0lo?...
youtu.be/QI8PUjxs0lo?...
WATCH: 30% for rent? How that rule holds up right now
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Where did the rule that people shouldn't spend more than 30% of their income on housing come from, and is it still relevant? @hannahgrabenstein.bsky.social @pbsnews.org talks to our managing director Chris Herbert & @hatethegamebook.com.
youtu.be/QI8PUjxs0lo?...
youtu.be/QI8PUjxs0lo?...
The number of ICE agents and officers reportedly increased from 10k to 22k in the past year (est. 3k currently in the Twin Cities). ICE training times have been reduced from 16 to 8 weeks, and Spanish language + age requirements removed.
www.dw.com/en/how-are-i...
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
www.dw.com/en/how-are-i...
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
How are ICE agents recruited, and who are they?
Donald Trump's second presidential term has seen a rapid rise in the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. But who are these people, and where is the US government finding them?
www.dw.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The number of ICE agents and officers reportedly increased from 10k to 22k in the past year (est. 3k currently in the Twin Cities). ICE training times have been reduced from 16 to 8 weeks, and Spanish language + age requirements removed.
www.dw.com/en/how-are-i...
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
www.dw.com/en/how-are-i...
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
Reposted by Steve Koller
Canada will lower tariffs on some Chinese electric vehicles and China will do the same for Canadian canola products, a major shift in policy that was announced on Friday during a landmark state visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada to Beijing.
Canada Breaks With U.S. to Slash Tariffs on Some Chinese Electric Vehicles
China will in turn cut its own tariffs on Canadian canola products, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada said in Beijing on Friday.
nyti.ms
January 16, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Canada will lower tariffs on some Chinese electric vehicles and China will do the same for Canadian canola products, a major shift in policy that was announced on Friday during a landmark state visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada to Beijing.
Reposted by Steve Koller
Climate risk science's greatest project successes have come in part due to transparency and reusability. We show that at the paper-level, there is plenty of room for growth. We talk about why this matters, what researchers can do, and how the greatest progress requires institutional support
🚨 Publication alert! Very happy to see our paper "Unlocking the benefits of transparent and reusable science for climate risk management" out in PNAS today. With @crispapoll.bsky.social @jdossgollin.bsky.social @bobkopp.net and many others.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
January 14, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Climate risk science's greatest project successes have come in part due to transparency and reusability. We show that at the paper-level, there is plenty of room for growth. We talk about why this matters, what researchers can do, and how the greatest progress requires institutional support
Reposted by Steve Koller
Made a pilgrimage to 2 ghosts of sea level past & future in Florida, from last time global temp was similar to today 120,000 years ago: an outcrop of oolite in Miami from when it was a sandy shoal under the waves, and in Windley Key a fossil coral reef that now ominously sits 20 feet above sea level
January 5, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Made a pilgrimage to 2 ghosts of sea level past & future in Florida, from last time global temp was similar to today 120,000 years ago: an outcrop of oolite in Miami from when it was a sandy shoal under the waves, and in Windley Key a fossil coral reef that now ominously sits 20 feet above sea level
Neptune Flood (subsidiary of NYSE:NP) is actively working to privatize the NFIP. Company leadership has communicated their work and this goal, in line with Project 2025, to the White House.
Privatization would have big implications for flood-prone communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/c...
Privatization would have big implications for flood-prone communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/c...
How One Company Is Pushing a Private Takeover of Flood Insurance
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Neptune Flood (subsidiary of NYSE:NP) is actively working to privatize the NFIP. Company leadership has communicated their work and this goal, in line with Project 2025, to the White House.
Privatization would have big implications for flood-prone communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/c...
Privatization would have big implications for flood-prone communities.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/c...
Reposted by Steve Koller
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
The US Department of Agriculture suspends all federal funding to Minnesota, effective immediately.
January 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I can't describe how bad Minneapolis feels right now. My neighbors are pulling kids out of school. The public schools are offering remote learning until 2/12. We are having conversations in our alleys about how to protect ourselves. It feels like a military occupation with a blockade.
Reposted by Steve Koller
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
January 10, 2026 at 9:15 AM
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
Reposted by Steve Koller
New paper shows that measuring energy burden using gross income misses millions of households. When housing costs are accounted for (net income), ~4.7M more renter households show up as energy-burdened.
Energy affordability = housing + income + energy. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Energy affordability = housing + income + energy. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Hidden affordability gap: Ignoring housing costs misses the true level of energy poverty in the United States
Energy burden, the proportion of household gross income spent on energy, is widely used for identifying and assessing energy affordability in the Unit…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:05 PM
New paper shows that measuring energy burden using gross income misses millions of households. When housing costs are accounted for (net income), ~4.7M more renter households show up as energy-burdened.
Energy affordability = housing + income + energy. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Energy affordability = housing + income + energy. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
New data paint a clearer picture of where the deepest cuts in the federal workforce have been.
Total staffing changes from Nov. '24 to Nov. '25 according to the NYT analysis:
HUD: 8,408➡️6,416 (-24%)
FHFA: 760➡️521 (-31%)
FEMA (in DHS): 25,376➡️22,368 (-12%)
[1/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Total staffing changes from Nov. '24 to Nov. '25 according to the NYT analysis:
HUD: 8,408➡️6,416 (-24%)
FHFA: 760➡️521 (-31%)
FEMA (in DHS): 25,376➡️22,368 (-12%)
[1/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
220,000 Fewer Workers: How Trump’s Cuts Affected Every Federal Agency
New data offers the first clear view of the impact of the buyouts and firings.
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:01 PM
New data paint a clearer picture of where the deepest cuts in the federal workforce have been.
Total staffing changes from Nov. '24 to Nov. '25 according to the NYT analysis:
HUD: 8,408➡️6,416 (-24%)
FHFA: 760➡️521 (-31%)
FEMA (in DHS): 25,376➡️22,368 (-12%)
[1/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Total staffing changes from Nov. '24 to Nov. '25 according to the NYT analysis:
HUD: 8,408➡️6,416 (-24%)
FHFA: 760➡️521 (-31%)
FEMA (in DHS): 25,376➡️22,368 (-12%)
[1/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Steve Koller
There were 23 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in the US in 2025.
And we only know this because @climatecentral.org hired the NOAA employee who led this vital tracking effort, which was decommissioned by the administration last spring.
And we only know this because @climatecentral.org hired the NOAA employee who led this vital tracking effort, which was decommissioned by the administration last spring.
Just in - "According to @climatecentral.org, 2025 ranks as the third-highest year (after 2023 and 2024) for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters..."
+ Interactive graphics/data: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
+ Climate Matters article: www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
+ Interactive graphics/data: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
+ Climate Matters article: www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
January 8, 2026 at 5:30 PM
There were 23 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in the US in 2025.
And we only know this because @climatecentral.org hired the NOAA employee who led this vital tracking effort, which was decommissioned by the administration last spring.
And we only know this because @climatecentral.org hired the NOAA employee who led this vital tracking effort, which was decommissioned by the administration last spring.
The EO withdraws the US from the IPCC as well as 30+ United Nations organizations.
Will be a massive blow to the global scientific community and international relations more broadly.
This crude disengagement from global institutions will not serve US interests.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Will be a massive blow to the global scientific community and international relations more broadly.
This crude disengagement from global institutions will not serve US interests.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
January 8, 2026 at 5:09 PM
The EO withdraws the US from the IPCC as well as 30+ United Nations organizations.
Will be a massive blow to the global scientific community and international relations more broadly.
This crude disengagement from global institutions will not serve US interests.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Will be a massive blow to the global scientific community and international relations more broadly.
This crude disengagement from global institutions will not serve US interests.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Informative pre/post photos and analysis of rebuilding permit data in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu one year after the LA fires.
The # of people buying RVs, parking them on their lots, and living in them is an indicator of the considerable barriers (costs and permitting) to rebuilding.
The # of people buying RVs, parking them on their lots, and living in them is an indicator of the considerable barriers (costs and permitting) to rebuilding.
January 6, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Informative pre/post photos and analysis of rebuilding permit data in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu one year after the LA fires.
The # of people buying RVs, parking them on their lots, and living in them is an indicator of the considerable barriers (costs and permitting) to rebuilding.
The # of people buying RVs, parking them on their lots, and living in them is an indicator of the considerable barriers (costs and permitting) to rebuilding.
Reposted by Steve Koller
The Trump admin & DHS Sec #Noem are continuing their ongoing assault on #FEMA with reports of major cuts to FEMA staff, which will put people’s lives and well-being at risk when disasters strike. Congress — we have a problem & oversight is needed ASAP. www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...
Emails outline potential cuts affecting thousands of FEMA disaster responders
Any FEMA terminations are likely to come in waves, according to three people familiar with the plans.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:13 PM
The Trump admin & DHS Sec #Noem are continuing their ongoing assault on #FEMA with reports of major cuts to FEMA staff, which will put people’s lives and well-being at risk when disasters strike. Congress — we have a problem & oversight is needed ASAP. www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...
Reposted by Steve Koller
Five years ago today, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, assaulting police officers, calling for Mike Pence to be hanged and hunting for Nancy Pelosi as they tried to reverse a presidential election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Trump Administration Live Updates: U.S. Marks Fifth Anniversary of Jan. 6 Attack
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Five years ago today, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, assaulting police officers, calling for Mike Pence to be hanged and hunting for Nancy Pelosi as they tried to reverse a presidential election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Cool new paper in Environmental Research Letters by Melville-Rea et al., titled "Drawing the line: how levee accreditation shapes flood insurance winners and losers."
Paper highlights material impacts (via insurance) of levee accreditation status in California.
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Paper highlights material impacts (via insurance) of levee accreditation status in California.
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Radware Bot Manager Captcha
To ensure we keep this website safe, please can you confirm you are a human by ticking the box below.
iopscience.iop.org
January 5, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Cool new paper in Environmental Research Letters by Melville-Rea et al., titled "Drawing the line: how levee accreditation shapes flood insurance winners and losers."
Paper highlights material impacts (via insurance) of levee accreditation status in California.
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Paper highlights material impacts (via insurance) of levee accreditation status in California.
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Reposted by Steve Koller
Immigrants play a key role in the supply of homebuilding and remodeling labor and the recent slowdown in immigration could worsen chronic labor shortages and constrain the ability to build and remodel housing, writes @rickriordan.bsky.social.
www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/homebui...
www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/homebui...
Homebuilding and Remodeling Depend on Immigrant Labor in Major Metros
www.jchs.harvard.edu
January 5, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Immigrants play a key role in the supply of homebuilding and remodeling labor and the recent slowdown in immigration could worsen chronic labor shortages and constrain the ability to build and remodel housing, writes @rickriordan.bsky.social.
www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/homebui...
www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/homebui...
Very sad day for non-commercial and educational broadcasting in the US, particularly in rural communities.
Informative writeup by the Congressional Research Service on the history and scope of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, first established in 1967: www.congress.gov/crs-product/...
Informative writeup by the Congressional Research Service on the history and scope of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, first established in 1967: www.congress.gov/crs-product/...
January 5, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Very sad day for non-commercial and educational broadcasting in the US, particularly in rural communities.
Informative writeup by the Congressional Research Service on the history and scope of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, first established in 1967: www.congress.gov/crs-product/...
Informative writeup by the Congressional Research Service on the history and scope of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, first established in 1967: www.congress.gov/crs-product/...
Reposted by Steve Koller
Tide predictions for 2026 in southeast Florida feature two primary peaks centered on the new and full moons on October 10 and 26. Note that tide predictions are only astronomical/climatological in nature, and do not account for actual weather or ocean conditions which can be significant. [1/3] 🌊🧪
January 2, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Tide predictions for 2026 in southeast Florida feature two primary peaks centered on the new and full moons on October 10 and 26. Note that tide predictions are only astronomical/climatological in nature, and do not account for actual weather or ocean conditions which can be significant. [1/3] 🌊🧪
~110x the median home sale price in Florida according to Zillow data.
A recent Forbes piece estimates an avg. homeowners insurance premium of ~$4.6k per year for $1 million in dwelling coverage ($1k deductible, $500k liability coverage) for high-value properties.
www.forbes.com/advisor/home...
A recent Forbes piece estimates an avg. homeowners insurance premium of ~$4.6k per year for $1 million in dwelling coverage ($1k deductible, $500k liability coverage) for high-value properties.
www.forbes.com/advisor/home...
December 30, 2025 at 6:38 PM
~110x the median home sale price in Florida according to Zillow data.
A recent Forbes piece estimates an avg. homeowners insurance premium of ~$4.6k per year for $1 million in dwelling coverage ($1k deductible, $500k liability coverage) for high-value properties.
www.forbes.com/advisor/home...
A recent Forbes piece estimates an avg. homeowners insurance premium of ~$4.6k per year for $1 million in dwelling coverage ($1k deductible, $500k liability coverage) for high-value properties.
www.forbes.com/advisor/home...
Reposted by Steve Koller
Our new paper projects the costs of sea level rise from increased U.S. mortality risk among the elderly w/ and w/out adaptation: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Projections of future mortality risk in older adults from high-tide flooding in coastal areas of the USA: an economic modelling study
The cost of premature mortality in older adults is greater in magnitude than other
modelled effects of climate-induced high-tide flooding (eg, value of lost time due
to traffic delays). Results sugges...
www.thelancet.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Our new paper projects the costs of sea level rise from increased U.S. mortality risk among the elderly w/ and w/out adaptation: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Steve Koller
South Korean RV ARAON is indeed the only ship in the world regularly visiting Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica. US no longer has a dedicated Antarctic RV.
ARAON headed south now, with Raymond Zhong (NYT) & Miles O’Brien @pbsnews.org on board documenting! Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/c...
ARAON headed south now, with Raymond Zhong (NYT) & Miles O’Brien @pbsnews.org on board documenting! Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/c...
Bound for Antarctica: A Voyage to Earth’s End Is Underway
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
South Korean RV ARAON is indeed the only ship in the world regularly visiting Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica. US no longer has a dedicated Antarctic RV.
ARAON headed south now, with Raymond Zhong (NYT) & Miles O’Brien @pbsnews.org on board documenting! Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/c...
ARAON headed south now, with Raymond Zhong (NYT) & Miles O’Brien @pbsnews.org on board documenting! Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/c...
Reposted by Steve Koller
Bob and I were among the hundreds of researchers that were supposed to conduct the 6th U.S. National Climate Assessment. Now it looks like they're gonna produce it with a few people and Grok? Communities need rigorous and accurate information about climate change. This will put communities at risk.
December 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Bob and I were among the hundreds of researchers that were supposed to conduct the 6th U.S. National Climate Assessment. Now it looks like they're gonna produce it with a few people and Grok? Communities need rigorous and accurate information about climate change. This will put communities at risk.
Reposted by Steve Koller
The Abundance movement often points to environmental groups as the obstacles to building. But who actually files the lawsuits blocking projects? It’s not environmental groups. It’s been lawyered-up HOAs protecting property values all along. Regulation by litigation is the problem.
December 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The Abundance movement often points to environmental groups as the obstacles to building. But who actually files the lawsuits blocking projects? It’s not environmental groups. It’s been lawyered-up HOAs protecting property values all along. Regulation by litigation is the problem.
NYC Council passes law that would require landlords to provide cooling systems capable of maintaining 78°F "in rooms in which tenants sleep, upon the request of the tenant."
Cooling season would run from June 15 - September 15. Bill is currently on Mayor's desk waiting to be signed. (1/2)
Cooling season would run from June 15 - September 15. Bill is currently on Mayor's desk waiting to be signed. (1/2)
December 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
NYC Council passes law that would require landlords to provide cooling systems capable of maintaining 78°F "in rooms in which tenants sleep, upon the request of the tenant."
Cooling season would run from June 15 - September 15. Bill is currently on Mayor's desk waiting to be signed. (1/2)
Cooling season would run from June 15 - September 15. Bill is currently on Mayor's desk waiting to be signed. (1/2)