Climate change is prompting some cities to market themselves as safe havens from extreme weather, but experts question their ability to truly offer protection.
Mike De Socio reports for the BBC.
In short:
- Buffalo, New York, markets itself as a "climate refuge" due to its moderate climate and low risk of extreme weather events.
- Other cities like Duluth and Ann Arbor are also positioning themselves as climate havens to attract residents fleeing harsher climates.
- Experts warn that no city is immune to climate change and stress the need for adaptation and infrastructure investment.
Key quote:
"I'm not saying climate change is going to be good for Buffalo, or Buffalo is going to be an oasis. We’re not an oasis, we suck less.”
— Stephen Vermette, professor of geography at Buffalo State University.
Why this matters:
As climate change worsens, more areas will become uninhabitable, pushing people to relocate. Marketing certain cities as climate havens could strain their resources and infrastructure, potentially leading to new challenges in those areas.
