Climate Migration Spans the Globe

Climate displacement is on the rise. In 2022 alone, nearly33 millionpeople across the globe were displaced due to natural disasters, which were also responsible for the loss of more thanthree million homesin the U.S. alone. As climate change continues to worsen, these numbers are expected to grow and accelerate. By 2050,more than one billion peoplemay be displaced due to climate-related impacts. As a result, the concept of managed retreat is back in the spotlight, andrenewed discussionhas sought to better characterize it as a package of potential actions rather than the wholesale abandonment of at-risk areas. AJune 2023 reportfrom the University of Massachusetts in concert with representatives from coastal communities across the state identified a variety of complementary tools for managed retreat, including enhanced setbacks, deed restrictions, green infrastructure, and an array of zoning and planning actions.