Actionable Insights for Welcoming Climate-Displaced Newcomers
It is impossible to accurately predict how many people will migrate due to environmental disasters and climate impacts – and when and where. Yet most towns and cities across the U.S. can expect to receive some newcomers.
Climate displacement and migration is already happening, with or without our collective preparation.
Cities such as Lancaster, Houston, Baton Rouge and Orlando received thousands of newcomers following hurricanes in the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. Communities like Chico, CA have received newcomers following wildfires. In other places, residents with the resources to relocate preemptively are leaving communities affected by climate impacts.
There is no safe haven that is immune to the impacts of climate change. The communities that will thrive in the face of change will be those that have proactively invested in and prepared their residents and economies for future events.
Worksheet
Understand how climate change may affect your community’s population
Where does your community fit on the National League of Cities framework of impacts related to climate and migration? Use this worksheet to determine which category or categories best apply to your community.
CASE StuDY
Dallas, TX
Dallas has a long history as a Climate Recipient City, welcoming people displaced from neighboring communities by hurricanes and tornadoes. The city is also a hub for refugee resettlement – and a temporary home for other immigrants en route to destinations across the U.S. Now, as Dallas grapples with rapidly rising temperatures, city leaders understand that these newcomer communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and are making efforts to prioritize these groups in citywide plans that advance resilience, sustainability, and welcoming.