Climate Change Displaces Over 3 Million Americans in 2018: Report by Center for American Progress
A new report by the Center for American Progress has found that natural disasters driven by climate change displaced more than 3 million Americans last year. The report analyzed data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and found that natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires caused 3.4 million people to be displaced in 2018. This is a significant increase from previous years, with 2.7 million people displaced in 2010 and 3.1 million displaced in 2016.
The report highlights the impact of climate change on displacement, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe as a result of rising global temperatures. The study notes that climate change is making natural disasters more destructive and increasing the risk of displacement for millions of Americans. The report also calls for immediate action on climate change to reduce the number of people displaced by natural disasters, including increasing federal funding for disaster relief and mitigation efforts, strengthening building codes and regulations, and investing in green infrastructure.
The top states for displacement were Texas, Florida, and California. These states are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters due to their coastal locations and the frequency of extreme weather events such as hurricanes and floods. The study also found that people of color were disproportionately affected, with 41 percent of displaced people being people of color, even though they make up only 37 percent of the overall population. This highlights the fact that marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and natural disasters.
Low-income communities were also disproportionately affected by displacement caused by natural disasters, with 44 percent of displaced households earning less than $50,000 per year. This is particularly concerning as low-income households are often the most vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters and have the least resources to recover and rebuild. The report calls for disaster relief and recovery efforts to prioritize the needs of low-income and marginalized communities in order to ensure that they receive the support they need to rebuild and recover.
The report also calls for the government to establish a national disaster housing strategy that provides long-term housing solutions for displaced individuals and families. This is crucial as many people who are displaced by natural disasters are unable to return to their homes for extended periods of time, and need long-term housing solutions in order to rebuild their lives. The report also calls for funding for disaster recovery efforts to be increased in order to ensure that communities have the resources they need to rebuild and recover from natural disasters.
It’s essential to note that displacement caused by natural disasters has wide-ranging impacts on the affected communities and individuals. Not only do they lose their homes and possessions, but they also face disruptions to their education, employment, and healthcare. The report recommends that the government must also provide support for the affected individuals and communities in terms of access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities in order to minimize these long-term impacts.
The report by the Center for American Progress highlights the devastating impact of climate change on displacement in the United States. It is a call to action for immediate action to be taken to address the issue, including increasing funding for disaster relief and mitigation efforts, strengthening building codes and regulations, investing in green infrastructure and establishing a national disaster housing strategy. The report also stresses on the importance of addressing the disproportionate impact of natural disasters on marginalized communities and ensuring that disaster relief and recovery efforts prioritize the needs of low-income and marginalized communities. It’s crucial that the government takes these recommendations seriously and act upon them to mitigate the effects of natural disasters on displacement and provide support to affected communities.
For more information, read the full report from the Center for American Progress: “Climate Displacement in the United States” https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/climate-change/reports/2019/05/08/468939/climate-displacement-united-states/
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
