Climate-proof Duluth: What it means and how citizens will be affected

Duluth’s status as a so-called climate-refuge city has gained notoriety over the last few years, but how does this affect the city and its citizens?

DULUTH, Minn. — As warmer temperatures soar globally, those seeking refuge from the impacts of climate change are turning their eyes to Duluth, Minnesota.

Duluth has been coined as a climate refuge for almost a decade now. Articles and pieces from prominent national newspapers, such as The New York Times, often talk about Duluth as a sort of haven for climate refugees.

One recent piece from The New York Times titled “Out-of-Towners Head to ‘Climate-Proof Duluth’” is just one example of the many articles that put Duluth front and center of the climate discussion.

The article followed a California native who moved to Duluth to escape the effects of climate change. This article and the many others that have been published over the last decade are making Duluth out to be a climate haven.

So why is Duluth in the heart of the climate refuge conversation?

“What attracts people to Duluth is that it’s not particularly hot, there’s fresh water and it’s a place for people to get away from warmer atmosphere,” climate expert Liz Minor said.

There is no doubt that Lake Superior is Duluth’s greatest climate aspect. Those living in places currently affected by extreme climate change, such as California or Arizona, are attracted to the idea of a city that has such direct access to fresh water.

Minor herself said that in moving to Duluth, she escaped the effects of climate change. The professor lived in Virginia where hurricanes often flooded and battered her home. After moving to Duluth, she noticed how she no longer experienced extreme flooding or had to worry about storms that were growing more extreme as the climate worsened.

Minor, who is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Minnesota Duluth said that she is not worried about lots of people moving to Duluth. One of the reasons Minor isn’t concerned is because there was a decline within the Duluth population.

In 1960, Duluth hit its population peak, reaching almost 110,000 citizens. As of 2020, the population is only around 86,000. This would mean that it may be economically beneficial to have more people moving to Duluth.

However, Minor said that, if anything, she is more worried about the town’s infrastructure. Because of how old so many buildings and pipes are here in Duluth, it is crucial to keep an eye on the town’s infrastructure as more people move here.

Unfortunately, those moving here will not entirely escape the effects of climate change. Minor said that we are already seeing the impact of climate change in the area.

She spoke about a personal experience with climate change affecting her garden when she lived right next to the lake.

“Last year my tomatoes grew completely red,” Minor said. “When before in previous seasons with the frost, they barely grew at all.”

Temperature trends show that our earth is warming globally, not excluding Duluth. Those moving here should take into consideration that Duluth is not completely climate-proof and is also experiencing first-hand the effects of climate change.