The Great Lakes region, once the heart of American industry, now offers a unique "capacity" for absorbing climate migrants due to its ample water supply and mild climate risks.
Urban planner Beth Gibbons advocates for the Great Lakes to market itself as a climate refuge, suggesting that the area's natural resources could fuel economic and population growth.
Scientific predictions suggest that as southern regions of the U.S. face economic challenges from climate change, the northern latitudes, including the Great Lakes, could experience significant economic growth.
In short:
“There’s no future in which many, many people don’t head here,”
— Beth Gibbons, climate adaptation specialist
Why this matters:
Michigan, with its diversified economy that spans agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, could leverage its relatively stable climate to attract businesses and residents looking for a refuge from more volatile environments. Investments in infrastructure and sustainable practices could further enhance its appeal, turning the state into a model of resilience in a changing world.
A Minnesota town is among a group of cities that scientists predict will become top destinations for Americans abandoning parts of the country made inhospitable by climate change.
