Transformation and recognition: Planning just climate havens in New York State

Abstract

Climate change is altering the context of human mobility due to disasters such as sea-level rise, forest fires, and other extreme events. It is also changing how places plan and adapt to these chaotic events. In this paper we examine how climate destinations, or host communities, are preparing for potential climate related in-migration in their climate adaptation planning. While no place will be left untouched by climate change, a number of cities and communities across Upstate New York consider themselves “climate havens” due to their lower risk to many climate impacts, such as sea level rise, access to freshwater resources, and infrastructure to accommodate growth. Within this context, what does it mean to plan a just climate haven? What types of policy and planning might be needed? How are planners and practitioners framing adaptation approaches? Using Q-methodology, we reveal two dominant perspectives among planners and activists in Upstate New York on how to plan just climate havens. The first is a transformational view that looks to address the social, political, and economic drivers of vulnerability. The second is a recognition view that looks to address legal and legislative shortcomings in how to support climate migrants. Points of consensus on how to build just climate havens between the two groups include co-production and co-design, workforce development, food security, and safe and affordable housing. We suggest that these two perspectives frame justice in two distinct—but overlapping—ways and provide a shared basis on how to consider planning a just climate haven.