What is climate gentrification? Let’s explore.
This post is in reference to the following post by Aparna Nathan from Harvard University Graduate School, Science Policy blog: http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/climate-newest-gentrifying-force-effects-already-re-shaping-cities/
If you do one thing today, read this article by Aparna Nathan in the Harvard University Graduate School, Science Policy blog based on the 2018 paper entitled ‘Climate gentrification: from theory to empiricism in Miami-Dade County, Florida’. I recently came across this notion of ‘climate gentrification’ via my ‘day job’ as a fundraising consultant for non-profits across the US. I started working with an affordable housing client in the Miami area who has seen firsthand the results of this gentrification. Shamefully perhaps, I had not fully considered these implications of climate change. As this article highlights, due to the shocking effects of 2017’s Hurricane Irma, those with beachfront properties in the Miami area, historically some of the most desirable real estate, are seeking property in lower-income areas that sit at a higher elevation and away from the coast. Like many cities across the U.S. and the globe, Miami was already burdened by an affordable housing crisis prior to this event. Hurricane Irma deepened the problem, furthering inequalities in the city and placing more vulnerable populations in paths of destruction. As witnessed in New Orleans, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and many other devastating incidences of climate change in action, vulnerable populations are already in the most dangerous path in many areas. However, climate gentrification is not just about sea-level rise and hurricanes, consider the wildfires across the Western part of the U.S., where higher temperatures are melting snow at an increased rate resulting in longer periods of drier conditions. What will come of these properties and where will these individuals relocate if financially possible? Beyond this, according to Keenan, Jill, and Gumber (2018), climate gentrification is happening is two others ways: 1) due to the expensive personal investment needed to protect one’s property in high-risk areas, many lower-income individuals will be forced to relocate and pushed even farther from their home areas; 2) when vulnerable areas receive resilience infrastructure (i.e. flood walls) property values rise, pushing lower-income families out. To me, this article is so critically important because it highlights yet another socio-economic impact of the climate crisis. These are people’s lives at stake in our towns and cities, perhaps our own or our families and friends. Yet another blaring reminder that the climate crisis is real and it’s happening now.
Sources:
Keenan, J., Hill, T., and Gumber, A. (2018) ‘Climate gentrification: from theory to empiricism in Miami-Dade County, Florida’, Environmental Research Letters 13 (5).
