ClimateHaven.com

By Michael Hanrahan, ClimateHaven.com 

November 6, 2025

“It’s a mindset, not a zip code.”

When Scientific American recently ran the headline “There Is No Such Thing as a Climate Haven,” it struck a nerve. 

The article rightly reminded readers that no town, state, or region is entirely immune to the disruptions of a warming planet. Floods, droughts, wildfires, and heat waves are no longer isolated events — they are the new normal.

But here’s where we part ways: while no place is perfectly safe, some places are far better positioned to withstand what’s coming. Climate change is global, but its impacts are uneven — shaped by geography, governance, and community resilience. That difference matters.

This is the essence of Climate Haven’s work: helping people identify, invest in, and build within regions where natural and social systems give us a fighting chance.

Let’s start by agreeing on the facts.

• No one escapes climate change. The atmosphere doesn’t stop at city limits.
• Everywhere will feel the strain — whether it’s through water scarcity, insurance collapse, or economic disruption.
• Adaptation and preparation are far more important than relocation alone.

Where the “no such thing” argument falls short is in ignoring the spectrum of risk. A home at sea level in Miami and a home on higher ground in Burlington, Vermont, are not equally exposed. A region with abundant water and moderate temperatures faces different prospects than one already in perpetual drought.

In climate adaptation, relative risk is the operative concept.

Calling any place a “haven” may sound naïve — but only if we define it as “perfectly safe.” Climate Haven uses the term differently:

A Climate Haven is a location — and a mindset — centered on resilience, foresight, and long-term livability.

These places share certain traits:

• Stable, moderate climates and lower projected hazards.
• Abundant natural resources, especially water and arable land.
• Governance structures that plan for adaptation, not just reaction.
• Communities that invest in connection, trust, and local capacity.

From the Great Lakes to coastal California’s inland valleys, from New England towns to the Pacific Northwest, some regions clearly outperform others on these measures. The difference isn’t immunity; it’s preparedness and positioning.

Finding your Climate Haven starts with a shift in thinking: from avoidance to adaptation.

• How will we design homes and communities that withstand disruption?
• How do we invest in water systems, renewable energy, and regenerative agriculture?
• How can relocation — for those who can and must — be done ethically, inclusively, and with local benefit?

This mindset sees change not as something to fear but as something to prepare for. It’s about creating safer ground — wherever you stand.

Scientific American warns that the “haven” idea could distract from global action or breed elitism. We share that concern. A Climate Haven isn’t a gated retreat for the privileged. It’s a framework for building community resilience, rooted in shared stewardship and regenerative design.

Every town can become a climate haven in its own way — by strengthening infrastructure, restoring ecosystems, and nurturing collaboration. The goal is not to escape the world’s problems, but to face them intelligently.

No, there’s no utopia immune from climate change. But there are better bets — places where the odds of long-term safety, stability, and sustainability are far higher.

A Climate Haven is not a fantasy. It’s a focus.

It’s not about denial. It’s about design.

And above all, it’s a mindset, not a zip code.