These US cities claim to be 'climate havens'

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🗞️ Driving the news: As climate change intensifies, some US cities like Buffalo, NY, are promoting themselves as climate havens, potentially offering refuge from extreme weather
• Buffalo's moderate climate and lower risk of climate disasters make it an attractive destination for climate migrants

🔭 The context: Buffalo's reputation as a climate refuge gained attention in 2019 when the mayor highlighted its climate stability
• Other cities in the upper Midwest and Northeast, such as Duluth, MN, and Ann Arbor, MI, are also adopting this narrative

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Promoting certain cities as climate havens can raise awareness about climate adaptation, but it also underscores the broader challenge of ensuring equitable infrastructure development to handle new populations and changing climates

⏭️ What's next: Experts emphasize that while these cities may fare better, they are not immune to climate impacts
• Effective adaptation strategies and investments are crucial to manage potential migration and avoid exacerbating local inequalities

💬 One quote: “I think the term 'haven' is very misleading,” says Julie Arbit, a researcher at the University of Michigan. “A better term might be, a 'climate adaptation zone'”

📈 One stat: Despite the marketing, migration data shows most Americans move within their region or state, not across the country, indicating limited evidence of a significant shift towards these so-called climate havens

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