The Great Displacement

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As climate change increasingly dominates headlines, many still perceive its effects as a distant concern. However, the reality is that the consequences are already evident across the United States, where climate disasters are displacing thousands from their homes. This narrative presents a human-centered perspective, showcasing the emerging human geography shaped by climate impacts. From the flood-affected regions of Louisiana to the wildfire-ravaged landscapes of California, and the parched cotton fields of Arizona to the deluged watersheds of North Carolina, people are on the move. In recent decades, the federal government has relocated tens of thousands from flood-prone areas, while many others have fled natural disasters independently. The insurance and mortgage markets are adapting to reflect the rising climate risks, making it increasingly difficult for people to remain in vulnerable locations. Over the next fifty years, millions of Americans will face displacement, migrating inland and northward in what could be the largest migration in U.S. history. The stories of those currently navigating this upheaval illustrate the profound transformations climate change will bring, erasing historic communities, redirecting populations, and reshaping the nation’s geography.