On the Bright Side, Rising Oceans Will Send Folks to Texas

A recent study predicts that climate refugees from Florida and coastal Louisiana may disperse to areas around the southeast, with a large number resettling in Texas

1 minute read

May 3, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By jwilliams @jwillia22


Louisiana Flooding

The National Guard / Flickr

In a glass half-full sort of article, Zach Despart of the Houston Press sees some upside for Texas from the rising sea levels threatening coastal areas in Florida and Louisiana. Research published in Nature indicates that up to 2.5 million residents may be displaced by rising waters by 2100, with up to 800,000 landing in Austin and 250,000 in Houston. So where's the upside? Despart writes:

[Mathew E. Hauer, the study's author] says migration to inland cities could be a blessing or a curse — a burden to some municipalities with outdated infrastructure and lack of employment opportunities, and a blessing to cities in need of revitalization. Texas, however, seems to be prepared. The U.S. Census Bureau announced last year that five of the 11 fastest-growing U.S. cities are in Texas.

Friday, April 28, 2017 in Houston Press

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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