Climate change oases

National Geographic examines the characteristics that make some cities better bets than others for surviving climate change:

Immigrants tend to migrate to neighborhoods that meet their cultural and linguistic needs, but the exodus of climate migrants to Buffalo wasn’t solely due to that established community. Months before Maria struck, the city’s mayor declared Buffalo a “climate refuge city,” noting that Buffalo has, “… a tremendous opportunity as our climate changes.”

Since then, the city has launched a relocation guide advertising the advantages to living in Buffalo, including how its average July temperature is a comfortable 71˚F. Anticipating a possible population uptick, the city revised zoning codes in 2017 to encourage development in existing city corridors and began upgrading its dated sewage infrastructure.

And Buffalo isn’t alone. Planners in cities such as Cleveland, Ohio; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Duluth, Minnesota; and elsewhere are beginning to map out what a future with thousands more residents could—and should—look like.

I'd like to add Chicago to the list. We have nearly-unlimited fresh water, moderating winters and beautiful summers, and non-stop flights to every Western European capital (except Lisbon).

I haven't visited Duluth, but I hear it's lovely—three months of the year. Not to mention, Michelin reviewers don't go up there yet, nor to Cleveland or Ann Arbor.