Economics lessons have always made clear the importance of consumer confidence in the market. When consumer confidence is low and the economy is in a general state of fear, you know we are in a tough spot. Zillow’s recent addition of climate risk scores aims to build consumer confidence in the website with the increasing presence of natural disasters. More importantly, Zillow’s move should create low consumer confidence in the way our materialistic culture functions. With rising insurance premiums and falling home prices, people from across the political spectrum must come together to shift our focus. Without this shift, vital human and American values ​​are at risk.

Zillows new climate risk score feature contains information for five major climate-related disasters. These include floods, wildfires, extreme heat, poor air quality and wind damage. Zillow is working with First Street, a nonprofit climate research organization, to develop these new features. First Street is a nonprofit research organization that combines climate tracking software with real estate development. Their most recently completed funding round earned them $46 million to further develop these technologies. It is clear that investors are confident that these types of technologies will be crucial in the future housing market.

Across the board, several organizations that prioritize climate resilience have grown. People are in a state of fear considering the recurring natural disasters. People need this kind of research to secure their confidence before making major purchases, especially when it comes to land. If these risk factors are correct, concerns can be allayed and the housing market can be more open. Ideally, this will allow for greater real estate buying and selling. Furthermore, if this information is made public, individuals will avoid risky purchases and insurance rates will decrease.

I think this is all well and good. Hopefully, these climate risk scores will be accurate so that consumers can regain confidence and the home buying and selling market will become peaceful again. However, the introduction of these risk factors conveys a much deeper message. Zillow’s decision should inspire us to examine our own risky relationships with the Earth. News of frequent climate destruction should make that clear.

Recent natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Milton and Helene, have destroyed homes, land and lives. Such total destruction can never be properly repaired. In North Carolina, Chimney Rock will almost certainly never be Chimney Rock again. These stories can be demoralizing. It is shocking to see lives destroyed in ways completely beyond anyone’s control. However, these stories should encourage a reexamination of our own perspective on Earth. Land is something that is given to us and something that can be taken away from us. This recognition of land’s proper place in the world—not as something we owe, but received as a gift—should inspire a cultural transformation away from exploitation and toward grateful agriculture.

During a Catholic social education course I took last spring with Father Thomas Massaro, SJ, we often talked about restructuring our relationship with the earth. Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Sispoke of a throwaway culture. It is a throwaway culture that has led us to the ecological disasters of our contemporary times. A throwaway culture manifests itself in the insatiable desire for more, especially profit. Our current throwaway culture must be transformed into a culture of integrity and gratitude. Changing our daily priorities alone will not solve the climate crisis. However, it can give every individual the opportunity to participate in an effort towards solidarity with the earth.

The fact that Zillow would include a climate risk score indicates how serious a problem it is. Yes, economically this addition supports consumer confidence in their product and allows them to maximize profits. However, I honestly think many properties will have climate risk issues. I know that half the homes in my neighborhood in northern Virginia are in a flood plain. Zillow may be risking itself by adding these features. We should listen.

Our culture and its impact on the climate should be an issue for everyone. The right to private property is protected in our Bill of Rights. Every American should be concerned about increasing climate disasters hurting their ability to buy a home. Isn’t the American Dream based on the idea of ​​land ownership? I think about the song “Buy dirt” by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan. The song’s closing line rings true: “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy dirt.” Davis and Bryan sing about how land ownership is a path to dedication in family life, solidarity with a broader community, and recognition of the value of the earth. Increasingly unable to purchase land to promote these values ​​hinders this particular path to fulfillment.

The current word ‘economy’ comes from the Greek word ‘oikonomia,” that means household management. While the new Zillow climate risk score appears to be an economic decision, it is actually a matter of family interest. If climate disasters are destroying the physical homes of many Americans, how can we promote values ​​that are inherently tied to family life?

We can no longer live in the never-ending cycle of spending and selling. We need a restoration of the value of simplicity. Maybe I see the “Buy Dirt” vision through rose-colored glasses, but I know that crucial values ​​are missing from society if we cannot recognize land as a gift. Zillow’s introduction of climate risk scores should serve as a warning to our culture. Something has to transform to keep our values ​​from disappearing before we can even say they’re gone. We need to inspire more trust, not only in our markets, but, more importantly, in our fellow humanity.

Abigail Adams, FCRH ’26, studied philosophy from Alexandria, Virginia.