Forced Retreat of Coastal Populations – Study 1

Coastal communities have always been at risk of natural hazards such as floods, tropical cyclones, and other severe weather; however, climate change has and will continue to exacerbate this risk. As global sea levels rise at unprecedented rates and coastal populations continue to grow, more people will be exposed to coastal hazards. Coastal communities, such as those in Louisiana, are among the first in the United States to experience displacement due to modern-day climate change. This type of displacement, caused by the changing effects of the environment, such as coastal erosion, land loss, and flooding, can be defined as climate migration. Certain populations will decide to move inland, relocating themselves to more climate-resilient communities; however, little is known about what makes a desirable climate-resilient community. What characteristics make a community appealing to climate migrants in Louisiana? This study measures the following five socioeconomic characteristics of resilient receiving communities: affordable housing availability, public transportation, quality education, access to health care, and economic opportunities. Based on these characteristics and hazard risk, Louisiana’s most favorable receiving communities were ranked. Future research may seek to apply this methodology to diverse geographies.