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Climate And Code: Bridging The Digital Divide In Disaster Recovery With Monica Sanders

September 23, 2026 · 59 min

When natural disasters strike, marginalized communities are often left behind without access to essential recovery resources or digital infrastructure. In her groundbreaking book Climate and Code: Building a Digital and Connected Climate-Resilient Future, Georgetown University Law Center professor and National Geographic Explorer Monica Sanders explores how law, community wisdom, and technology can bridge this gap to build disaster equity. Monica Sanders, founder of The Undivide Project, joins us for an insightful conversation on redefining resilience from the ground up. Drawing from her personal experience surviving Hurricane Katrina to examining digital redlining and community-led initiatives in Panama and Baltimore, Monica highlights why digital access is a critical lifeline during extreme weather events. Discover how centering local knowledge and co-creating digital solutions can empower communities to withstand environmental crises and shape a more resilient future.

COMPLETE BLOG & TRANSCRIPT: https://caremorebebetter.com/climate-and-code-bridging-the-digital-divide-in-disaster-recovery-with-monica-sanders/

About Guest:

Monica C. Sanders, JD, LL.M., is a law professor, author, journalist, and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of climate resilience, technology, and justice. A New Orleans native whose work was shaped by Hurricane Katrina, she founded The Undivide Project to help communities use digital infrastructure and data to strengthen disaster resilience, and Bonne Terre Labs to build decision-intelligence tools for more responsible infrastructure investment. Sanders teaches at Georgetown University Law Center, is a National Geographic Explorer and Forbes Senior Contributor, and previously held senior disaster, homeland security, and humanitarian roles in government and at the American Red Cross. Her new book, Climate and Code, explores how law and technology can help build a more resilient and equitable future.

Guest Website: https://www.monicacsanders.com

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicasanders12/

Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicadrrprof/

Guest YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theundivideproject4007/videos

Resources Mentioned:

BOOK: Climate and Code: Building Digital Justice in a Connected World

Chapters with Time Stamps:

02:40 How Hurricane Katrina Shaped Disaster Resilience And Equity

07:38 Valuing Natural Systems: The Barataria Estuary As Environmental Infrastructure

12:14 Designing Technology With Communities, Not For Them

20:18 Digital Access As A Critical Component Of Climate Resilience

28:51 Data Centers, Hyperscale Tech, And Environmental Justice

38:27 Climate And Code: Leveraging AI Responsibly Without Losing Human Innovation

48:06 Actionable Steps To Build Equitable Community Resilience

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Corinna Bellizzi · © 2025 - Care More Be Better