Natural catastrophes are increasing in severity and frequency,resulting in greater losses.

Disaster losses along the eastern United States coast areprojected to escalate in the coming years, in part because ofspikes in building and property development.

U.S. Census Bureau data show that the population in coastalcounties containing 14 of the country's 20 largest metropolitanareas grew by 84% between 1960 and 2008. (By comparison, populationin noncoastal counties grew by 64% during the same period). Indeed, the nine highest population density states are locatedalong the East Coast and the five states experiencing the greatestrise in population — California, Texas, Florida, Georgia andVirginia — are all coastal.

According to AIR Worldwide, the insured value of property incoastal states has historically doubled every decade. Moreover,according to a report commissioned by the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency (FEMA), U.S. sea level rise and severeweather events are likely to increase coastal area flooding risk by55% this century.

With the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season upon us,debate over root causes of this increase in the number and severitynatural catastrophes will get a lot of headlines. However,consideration of this sort is largely counterproductive in that itcomplicates potential responses that can save lives and preventlosses. The key to making a positive and lasting impact is to buildand grow a Resilience Movement.

Mastering the shift from debates todialogues

To make this happen, we need to shift the dialogue from causesto solutions. Insurance is the best candidate to lead in thiseffort to change the conversation — and here's why we should seizeour opportunity to take up the standard.

People look at insurance as something that “happens” after thefact, but helping people rebuild after catastrophe strikes is themost visible part. Like the bulk of an iceberg that sits beneaththe water, much of what insurers do, the crux of insurance's impacton the economy, is in the way it helps businesses, communities, andindividuals prepare and plan long before a catastrophe. This kindof preparation helps in many ways by:

• Lowering insurance costs,
• Reducing losses, and
• Assisting with faster recovery and rebuilding of our cities andinfrastructure.

Insurance's commitment to resilience spreads far beyond advancedrisk modeling/reporting and astute management of capital. Insurersand industry groups help to effectuate sound policymaking byadvocating for the support of forward-looking legislation (forexample, the reauthorization and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP),potentially a huge catalyst for a burgeoning resiliencemovement).

Related: 12 ways the U.S. is using nature to protect againstnatural disasters

Effective urban planning and building design could play animportant role in facilitating the development of a greatercapacity for future resilience. That's why theinsurance/reinsurance industry supports groups such as the Insurance Institutefor Business & Home Safety (IBHS), whose mission is toconduct objective, scientific research to identify and promote themost effective ways to strengthen homes, businesses and communitiesagainst natural disasters and other causes of loss.

The industry also collaborates with institutions such asthe Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Center forResilience and the RiskManagement and Decision Processes Center at the WhartonSchool. And this commitment carries on downto the individual level: Homeowners and businessowners who areinvesting in resilience in their communities. Withoutrisk-sensitive development, population growth and rapidurbanization will lead to increased exposure and risk.

Setting the agenda

As Peter Engelke, senior fellow with the Atlantic Council notes,“Resilience is a roadmap to meet disruption, minimize damage,restore stability, and come back stronger.” Human civilizationalways has built near the water — it's how cultures spread andgoods flowed. But reality now is the same as it's ever been: Wemust respect the forces of nature.

Communities that understand the risks they face and mitigaterisks are far more resilient to disasters than those who don't planahead. And insurance can help to inform discussions that set thisagenda. Natural catastrophes are an ever-present threat. Theresponsibilities of safeguarding property and people are seriousmatters that demand effective responses all around: Enlightenedpublic policy, motivated partners in the public and privatesectors, and well-informed and aware citizens.

Debating endlessly about natural catastrophe cycles iscounterproductive. Positive change will come when the politics takea backseat and we can focus all our energies on creating andimplementing solutions.

Sean Kevelighan is CEO of the Insurance InformationInstitute. Follow Sean on Twitter @III_SeanK; [email protected]. Opinions expressed arethe author's own.

Related: FEMA to pay 90 percent of costs to repair damage toHolland Tunnel caused by Sandy