The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens Where Will Humanity Move When the World Gets Too Hot? Mass Climate Migration & The Rise of Uninhabitable Regions with Sunil Amrith
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Aug 27, 2025 
Sunil Amrith, a migration historian at Yale, delves into the staggering projections of climate-related displacement affecting over a billion people in the coming decades. He explores the historical context of migration, emphasizing its constant presence in human life and the need for compassionate policies. The discussion navigates the emotional impacts of leaving home, the vital role of water in migration patterns, and the importance of integrating new communities. Amrith advocates for a welcoming mindset to transform challenges into opportunities for resilience and shared growth.
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Most Climate Displacement Is Domestic
- Most climate displacement will be internal, not cross-border, with the global south's megacities bearing the brunt.
- This concentrates stress on already strained urban infrastructure and services.
Global Migration Share Is Not At An All-Time High
- The share of international migrants today (~3.5–4%) is lower than the 19th-century peak despite higher absolute numbers.
- Peak migration in the 1870s reached around 8–9% of the global population.
Diverse Personal Reasons For Migration
- Sunil's oral histories showed every migrant's story differed, combining chance, debt, and personal reasons for leaving.
- Some followed neighbors or escaped specific accusations rather than moving for a single clear cause.
