Forced to Flee: The Harsh Reality of Climate Migration

The looming environmental shift will impact 162 million souls across the United States, yet only a handful of them are equipped to navigate the unfamiliar terrain that awaits….

The Eye-Opening Background

For 93 million of them exactly they will be displaced and climate migration will become a word that will live at the top of their lexicon.
Who will suffer the most? The poorest of them all. They will be forced to move due to both the fast and slow on-set of climate change impacts.
The Systemic Root

Yes, the reality is that climate change remains a constant threat, but when you take a look under the hood, you'll see that our economic system is the true culprit that has driven the most vulnerable and historically oppressed communities to the brink of true disaster.
There are numerous examples of this kind of economic exploitation, including the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The lack of government support caused 1.5 million people, mostly from minority groups, to be displaced.
The harsh reality is that many of them have yet to their safe havens; a place they use to call home.
The Historical Problem

The writing is on the wall, once temporary relief is exhausted, news outlets stop covering the stories.
Disasters become a mere thing of the past, leaving affected people without a plan or immediate resources.
The long-term effects on disadvantaged communities, who become climate refugees, are often if not always overlooked to receive the real assistance they need.

Methodologies included Digital Ethnography, In-Depth Interviews with Hurricane Victims, Secondary Research Deep Dive

“I saw an entire town demolished. People fighting over water. Breaking open caskets searching for something that could help them survive.”

— Katrina Survivor

Defining America’s Climate Refugees

A climate refugee is not just a label or a statistic, but a human being who has been torn away from their roots and forced to flee their homeland due to the ravages of climate change. Yet, all too often, the term 'refugee' is misapplied to people who are not deserving of this title, while those who are truly in need of assistance are left to suffer alone.

In America, the climate refugee is predominantly Black, Brown, Asian, and low-income. They are the ones who bear the brunt of this crisis, and they will be the most vulnerable to its devastating consequences. They are the ones who will face the greatest financial and resource challenges in adapting to the changing landscape.

The Hard Truth

The relentless news cycle is a ravenous beast that demands a constant stream of information to consume. But in its insatiable hunger, it has become a major obstacle for climate refugees, creating yet another barrier for them to overcome in the face of a daunting crisis.

Without their voices and needs heard, we risk inaction and failure to address this crisis.

The Insight

In the face of climate change-related disasters, we often utter the phrase 'there but for the grace of God go I' and continue with our daily lives, seemingly detached from the suffering and devastation experienced by those impacted.

The Realization

The resilience of these communities is unmatched, rising above immense adversity time and time again, and blazing their own trail.

However, the resiliency narrative gets old, it is no longer a badge of honor, it is depleting, they deserve a space to share their honest truths.

The Strategy

Define a new chain of command and get the real story of climate refugees.

Idea: Don’t let the news timeline dictate the narrative & flow of actual change.

Awareness: Introducing Vantage Point

Vantage Point was curated to be more than just a website but a platform to share real-time stories of current and past climate emergencies to support those affected, one narrative at a time. We will partner with NGOs, community activists for climate change, and foundations to bring awareness to the platform.

The homepage design captures the urgency of the displaced with compelling imagery, drawing attention to the gravity of the situation and driving home the need for action.

Consideration: Elevate the Voices & Their Needs

On the homepage, there is scroll to allow individuals to find up-to-date climate stories and information both from past climate refugees to ones that need help now. Each story features a giving circle "NEEDS" section to help migrants get resources they need.

The platform features live reports that offer a robust insight into the first-hand experiences of individuals directly affected by ongoing climate emergencies.

Motivation to Act: Knowledge and Application

We designed an interactive game that puts players in the shoes of climate refugees, facing the tough choices and challenges that arise during and after a climate emergency. By immersing players in these real-life scenarios, we hope to raise awareness and inspire action towards supporting those affected by climate change.