As a proud Michigander, it wasn’t a surprise to me to hear that by 2100, many people will move to the Great Lakes State, although I’ll admit the reason why did catch me off guard. I assumed everyone would be moving for our four amazing seasons, breathtaking lakeshores and sand dunes, amazing winter and summer activities, and access to the largest body of fresh water on Earth, accounting for one-fifth of the freshwater on the planet (thanks to lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie). But no. Seems people will be moving here, according to Popular Science, as a way of self-preservation!
Their finding is based on weather patterns, temperature, and natural disasters, all of which are predicted to be far worse, by 2100:
- Sea levels could rise up to 6.6 feet- this eliminated most areas on the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
- Category 4 and 5 hurricanes will double- eliminating coastal areas near the oceans.
- Tornadoes will be more severe, frequent and unpredictable- this eliminated the area known as “Tornado Alley” in the middle of the country.
- Almost the entire country will be at a greater risk of drought- eliminating the majority of the central part of the country where water is sparser.
- The west will get hotter by 6.5 degrees and wildfires will burn 650 percent more land for every 1.8-degree rise in temperature.
- Mosquitoes that carry pathogens like Dengue and Zika will expand their range.
And then there was Michigan. (And a couple other northern states but compared to Michigan, no contest.)
Source: Mlive
