CONTEXT

The Climate Migration app will be an essential element in aiding the relocation efforts for those who have begun to become displaced, or will be displaced by climate change. 

 

KEY LEARNING POINTS

As of September 14th, (13) people have been interviewed:

(3) Boomer Gen, 1946 - 1964, 75 - 57

(4) Generation X, 1975 - 1980, 46 - 41

(5) Generation Y, 1981 - 1996, 40 - 25

(1) Generation Z, 1997 - 2012, 24 - 9

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CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL

13/13 believe the impacts of climate change are real and are anxious about how the effects will impact future generations. 

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CONNECTED CONVERSATIONS

Climate change has always been a polarizing topic of conversation within the mainstream media but research indicates these conversations are happening on a personal level. 

 

13/13 are participating in connected conversations on climate change with friends and family:

• Daily 6/12

• Weekly 5/12

• Monthly 2/12

 

It was fascinating to discover that the majority of those interviewed discuss the topic with friends and family on a daily basis. One interviewee mentioned that these discussions escalate more during particular seasons, especially during fire season. 

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MOTIVATED BY PROXIMITY

13/13 are motivated to learn about how climate change will impact the area they currently live in. This is especially the case now that they are witnessing the effects first hand. 

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• Alameda 6/12

• Elk Grove 1/12

• Pleasant Hill 2/12

• Maui, Hawaii 1/12

• Costa Rica 3/12

 

For the residents in California, the looming wildfires and drought-ridden state has exponentially increased those interviewed to investigate how their current cities will fare within the next decade. 

 

Whilst the residents in Costa Rica and Maui have experienced extreme flooding, their homes are situated in areas that are currently not heavily affected yet all are interested in learning more about their future.

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• Air Quality 7/12

• Drought 10/12

• Fires 9/12

• Flooding 4/12

• PSPS 1/12

• Weather 3/12

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RELOCATE NOW, OR LATER?

9/12 said they have given thought to relocating to a different location that could potentially offer them a better quality of life in the crisis of climate change. 

 

While some have looked seriously, one individual expressed the need for an app or website that would encompass how climate change will affect different regions. Another individual simply asked, “where would I go?”. 

 

NEXT STEPS

Based on the initial interviews it is apparent that additional information will be required. I believe all do not lack motivation but instead lack quality information organized within a clear and concise manner. 

 

In the next phase of interviews (which I will perform over the weekend), I would like to explore the potential for what type of information users would like to see as part of the interface. Likewise if the information were indeed available, how would they process it?