Climate Connection

David and Terri's experiences living in tent encampments in Middle Tennessee highlight the severe challenges of surviving extreme weather, particularly harsher winters among vulnerable populations. With increasingly extreme cold snaps and longer summers, the homeless community faces tough conditions that test their survival skills. For David, who uses a wheelchair, the cold is even more difficult to manage, making it harder for both him and Terri to stay safe and warm. Despite these struggles, David and Terri along with others in the homeless community, demonstrate remarkable resilience, adapting to the harsh conditions with resourcefulness and adaptive strategies.

David and Terri's story shows how people can adapt to changes in the climate across the board, even in industries like construction. With decades of experience as a framer before his disability, David has seen how construction techniques have had to evolve to withstand stronger storms and more extreme weather, such as tornadoes and floods. In response, building codes and methods in Middle Tennessee will have to adapt quickly to meet the need. However, making these changes comes with higher costs for resilient construction materials, the need for a labor force skilled in adaptive building practices, and updates to Nashville codes and permits. All of which local businesses and decision-makers will have to contend with to forge a sustainable solution