Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning

Abstract Globally, populations are increasingly located in areas at high risk of climate change impacts. Some populations lack the agency to move out of harm’s way, leading to involuntary immobility. The climate risks these populations face are insufficiently addressed in climate policy and disaster...

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Main Authors: Lisa Thalheimer, Fabien Cottier, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, Carolynne Hultquist, Cascade Tuholske, Hélène Benveniste, Jan Freihardt, Mona Hemmati, Pui Man Kam, Narcisa G. Pricope, Jamon Van Den Hoek, Andrew Zimmer, Alex de Sherbinin, Radley M. Horton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57679-9
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author Lisa Thalheimer
Fabien Cottier
Andrew Kruczkiewicz
Carolynne Hultquist
Cascade Tuholske
Hélène Benveniste
Jan Freihardt
Mona Hemmati
Pui Man Kam
Narcisa G. Pricope
Jamon Van Den Hoek
Andrew Zimmer
Alex de Sherbinin
Radley M. Horton
author_facet Lisa Thalheimer
Fabien Cottier
Andrew Kruczkiewicz
Carolynne Hultquist
Cascade Tuholske
Hélène Benveniste
Jan Freihardt
Mona Hemmati
Pui Man Kam
Narcisa G. Pricope
Jamon Van Den Hoek
Andrew Zimmer
Alex de Sherbinin
Radley M. Horton
author_sort Lisa Thalheimer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Globally, populations are increasingly located in areas at high risk of climate change impacts. Some populations lack the agency to move out of harm’s way, leading to involuntary immobility. The climate risks these populations face are insufficiently addressed in climate policy and disaster planning. While policy and planning should be data-informed, the lack of appropriate data should not limit governments and institutions from taking action to reduce the risk of involuntary immobility. Incorporating involuntary immobility within the broader sustainable development goals of climate action and safe, orderly, and regular migration may substantially reduce the risk of involuntary immobility.
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publisher Nature Portfolio
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spelling doaj-art-9475eab15d3b49dca2f74bab557152e32025-08-20T03:02:19ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-03-011611810.1038/s41467-025-57679-9Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planningLisa Thalheimer0Fabien Cottier1Andrew Kruczkiewicz2Carolynne Hultquist3Cascade Tuholske4Hélène Benveniste5Jan Freihardt6Mona Hemmati7Pui Man Kam8Narcisa G. Pricope9Jamon Van Den Hoek10Andrew Zimmer11Alex de Sherbinin12Radley M. Horton13International Institute of Applied Systems AnalysisCenter for Integrated Earth System Information, Columbia Climate School, Columbia UniversityNational Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia Climate School, Columbia UniversitySchool of Earth and Environment, University of CanterburyDepartment of Earth Sciences, Montana State UniversityDepartment of Environmental Social Sciences, Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford UniversityDepartment of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH ZürichLamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia Climate School, Columbia UniversityDepartment of Environmental Systems Science, ETH ZürichDepartment of Geosciences, Mississippi State UniversityCollege of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, Montana State UniversityCenter for Integrated Earth System Information, Columbia Climate School, Columbia UniversityLamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia Climate School, Columbia UniversityAbstract Globally, populations are increasingly located in areas at high risk of climate change impacts. Some populations lack the agency to move out of harm’s way, leading to involuntary immobility. The climate risks these populations face are insufficiently addressed in climate policy and disaster planning. While policy and planning should be data-informed, the lack of appropriate data should not limit governments and institutions from taking action to reduce the risk of involuntary immobility. Incorporating involuntary immobility within the broader sustainable development goals of climate action and safe, orderly, and regular migration may substantially reduce the risk of involuntary immobility.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57679-9
spellingShingle Lisa Thalheimer
Fabien Cottier
Andrew Kruczkiewicz
Carolynne Hultquist
Cascade Tuholske
Hélène Benveniste
Jan Freihardt
Mona Hemmati
Pui Man Kam
Narcisa G. Pricope
Jamon Van Den Hoek
Andrew Zimmer
Alex de Sherbinin
Radley M. Horton
Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
Nature Communications
title Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
title_full Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
title_fullStr Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
title_full_unstemmed Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
title_short Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
title_sort prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57679-9
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