In episode 233 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons takes you inside the 2025 MR Conference at Columbia University, a gathering focused on the complex realities of climate-driven movement—whether we call it managed retreat, relocation, or mobility. What does it mean to leave behind homes, neighborhoods, or entire communities in response to climate risks—and how do we do it in ways that prioritize justice and long-term resilience? The episode explores the politics of place attachment, the financial systems that shape who can move and who can’t, and how storytelling helps bring these abstract issues down to the human level. You’ll hear from a diverse group of voices across disciplines, and from former Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, who calls for moral leadership and shared responsibility in a world facing climate-driven displacement. Whether you're an adaptation professional or simply trying to understand what's coming, this episode delivers timely insights from the frontlines of climate planning.
This episode was generously sponsored by Tulane University’s Center on Climate Change and Urbanism.
Experts in this Episode:
- Dr. Alex de Sherbinin – Chair of MR2025 Organizing Committee and Director and Senior Research Scientist, at the Center for Integrated Earth System Information (CIESIN) at the Columbia Climate School
- President Carlos Alvarado – Former President of Costa Rica
- Kelly Main - Founder and Executive Director Buy-in Community Planning
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