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New report published on climate change impacts and resilience opportunities in Central Appalachia

23.05.2023

Invest Appalachia, an impact investment organization serving the people of Central Appalachia in the United States of America and a member of the Mountain Partnership, released the new report Climate Resilience in Central Appalachia: Impacts and Opportunities. It aims to improve economic resilience for the region. The evidence-based analysis shows that Central Appalachian communities, including towns in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, are well-positioned to become top choice locations for Americans moving as a result of climate change. The report also identifies new opportunities for investment as well as community-driven strategies to build economic resilience for the region.

"The Climate Resilience in Central Appalachia report aims to situate Appalachia within the broader climate resilience dialogue, and provide a basis for collective planning and action towards a resilient future for the region. The findings show that we need bold changes in policy, investment, and economic development strategies in order to prepare Appalachian communities for an increasingly climate-impacted future," said Andrew Crosson, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Appalachia.

The Climate Resilience in Central Appalachia report shows that concerns about climate change are becoming a driver of where Americans choose to live and that Central Appalachia is one of the best-positioned regions in the nation to receive an in-migration of residents. The report was developed through extensive research, practice-based analysis, and peer review from community organizations, government agencies, higher education, and technical experts. The report authors combine a review of the academic literature and expertise from research institutions along with analysis rooted in the lived experience and on-the-ground outlook of Appalachian residents, industry leaders, and community development.

"Climate is expected to be the dominant driver of global migration in the twenty-first century. This report outlines the geostrategic role that Appalachia's communities and resources will likely play in the coming decades. We need bold thinking from residents and new investments from regional and national funders to prepare our region for the impacts of the climate crisis," said Baylen Campbell, Director of Community Impact for Invest Appalachia.

Report findings highlight areas that are currently under-represented in climate discourse, policymaking, and investments – such as attention to locally-based businesses, community amenities, and infrastructure – as essential elements of a climate mitigation strategy that drives economic resilience.

The Climate Resilience in Central Appalachia report concludes with recommended actions to create a well-rounded, climate-informed approach to economic resilience for groups focused on capital investment, public policy, research, and community engagement strategies.

Download the report

News by Invest Appalachia

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