The Remote Worker's Guide to Climate-Resilient Communities: 20 Towns Taking Action
By Natalia Wolting • Oct 30, 2024 UTC
Climate change poses significant challenges to communities across the United States. However, some towns and cities are better positioned to weather these impacts due to their geographical advantages and proactive sustainability efforts. For remote workers who have the flexibility to work anywhere, finding a community that is taking proactive measures against climate change, can be a significant deciding factor on where they live.
This article highlights 20 such communities, focusing on their specific initiatives to enhance climate resilience and ensure long-term sustainability. While these cities are considered relatively resilient, no location is immune to the impacts of climate change. It's essential to consider local factors, such as specific risks and community preparedness when making decisions about where to live.
1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Population: 123,851
- Elevation: 840 feet
- Inland location: Surrounded by the Great Lakes but away from sea level rise risks.
- Access to water: Located close to the Huron River.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- In 2020 the city adopted its “A2Zero” $1 billion climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase sustainability through renewable energy, green building practices and investing in sustainable transportation.
- Nicknamed “Tree Town” due to the city having 33% canopy coverage.
2. Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
- Population: 1,009
- Elevation: 1,089 feet
- Inland location: Near the Great Lakes but away from sea level rise risks.
- Access to water: Located on Balsam Lake.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Focused on sustainable food production.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working collaboratively with scientists, legislators, business leaders and communities in Wisconsin like Balsam Lake to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help natural and human communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
3. Barre, Vermont
- Population: 8,500
- Elevation: 1,100 feet
- Inland location: Well away from coastlines.
- Access to water: The Winooski River runs through the town.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Focused on building resilience to extreme weather events through green infrastructure, water conservation and community-led sustainability projects.
Barre has invested in creating a green infrastructure.
4. Boulder, Colorado
- Population: 108,250
- Elevation: 5,328 feet
- Inland location: Far from coastlines.
- Access to water: Reliable water source from mountain snowmelt.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Building an electric vehicle infrastructure and focused on sustainable land use planning.
- Invested in fire mitigation measures to address wildfire risks.
5. Columbus, Ohio
- Population: 905,748
- Elevation: 902 feet
- Inland location: Located in the Midwest, well away from coastlines.
- Access to water: The Scioto River runs through the city.
- Sustainability Initiative:
- Implementing sustainable development practices including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable transportation.
- Population: 28,602
- Elevation: 505 feet
- Inland location: Located deep inland in the Midwest.
- Access to water: The Kentucky River runs through town.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Developed proactive environmental programs including a focus on rural sustainability and supplying clean energy for all government operations by 2030.
Frankfort is dedicated to supplying clean energy solution to it's government operations in the next few years.
7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Population: 196,908
- Elevation: 640 feet
- Inland location: Situated far away from sea level rise risks.
- Access to water: The Grand River provides water security.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- The Grand Rapids Climate Action (GRCA), established in 2019, aims to achieve the goal of passing a resolution through the Grand Rapids City Commission to declare a climate emergency and commit to achieving carbon neutrality for the city by 2030.
8. Helena, Montana
- Population: 32,000
- Elevation: 4,058 feet
- Inland location: Located in the Northern Rockies.
- Access to water: The Missouri River is nearby.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- In 2007, the City of Helena Commission passed Resolution 19530 to combat climate change by lowering GHG emissions to improve water quality, reduce energy costs and improve waste and air pollution efforts.
9. Holland, Michigan
- Population: 33,000
- Elevation: 686 feet
- Inland location: Located near Lake Michigan, but at a safe elevation.
- Access to water: Abundant water source from Lake Michigan.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- The City of Holland and the Holland Board of Public Works (BPW) have a Community Energy Plan (CEP) to reduce carbon emissions to 12.25 metric tons of CO2 per capita by 2025. The city has made progress on this goal, cutting emissions in half after the James DeYoung Coal Plant closed in 2017.
- Population: 880,621
- Elevation: 717 feet
- Inland location: Far from coastal areas.
- Access to water: The White River flows through the city.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Tree planting - Indianapolis is prioritizing tree planting in underserved areas to increase access to green spaces and create climate resilience.
- Emissions reduction goal - The city of Indianapolis is committed to reducing its per capita emissions by 62.8% by 2030 and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Indianapolis is committed to achieving zero emissions over the next few decades.
11. Lindsborg, Kansas
- Population: 3,500
- Elevation: 1,350 feet
- Inland location: Located well inland in Kansas.
- Access to water: The Smoky Hill River is nearby.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Plans to reduce flood risk and damage to properties.
- Encouraging resilient practices to protect the future of the community.
- Prioritizing resource efficiency, waste reduction, pollution prevention and building occupant health and productivity.
12. Madison, Wisconsin
- Population: 272,903
- Elevation: 873 feet
- Inland location: Well inland in Wisconsin.
- Access to water: Located between two large lakes, Mendota and Monona.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Madison has set the ambitious goal of reaching 100% renewable energy and net zero carbon emissions for city operations by 2030 and community-wide by 2050.
- Population: 16,870
- Elevation: 673 feet
- Inland location: Far from coasts.
- Access to water: The Little Wabash River is located nearby.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Mattoon is eligible for a new Climate Pollution Reduction Grant designed to implement community-driven solutions that tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice and accelerate America’s clean energy transition.
- Future location of new solar panel manufacturing facility.
Mattoon has been named as the future site of new solar panel manufacturing facility. Photo Credit (City of Mattoon, Illinois)
14. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Population: 563,305
- Elevation: 617 feet
- Inland location: Located on Lake Michigan but at a safe elevation from sea level rise.
- Access to water: Lake Michigan provides an abundant water source.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Climate and Equity Plan -Adopted in 2023, this plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The plan also includes initiatives to improve racial and economic equity, such as creating green jobs that pay at least $40,000 and are focused on recruiting local people of color.
- Water Centric City Initiative - This initiative showcases Milwaukee's leadership in sustainably managing natural water resources.
- Population: 15,643
- Elevation: 768 feet
- Inland location: Far from coastlines.
- Access to water: Situated on the southern banks of the Maumee River.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Sustaining Fort Wayne - This initiative focuses on climate mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency in the Fort Wayne area. The initiative includes the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which assesses the city's current climate initiatives and sets up a monitoring system. The initiative also includes the Grease Co-Op, which removes grease from restaurants and uses it as a renewable energy source at the wastewater treatment plant.
As part of Sustaining Fort Wayne, New Haven is focused on climate adaption and resiliency. (Photo credit: Visit Fort Wayne)
16. Northfield, Minnesota
- Population: 20,000
- Elevation: 912 feet
- Inland location: Location is far from coastlines.
- Access to water: The Cannon River flows through town.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Implemented The Climate Action Plan (CAP) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the city's resilience to climate change. The plan was adopted in 2019 and goals include achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 and becoming a 100% carbon-free community by 2040.
17. Oneonta, New York
- Population: 13,000
- Elevation: 1,240 feet
- Inland location: Located far inland in upstate New York.
- Access to water: Located near the Susquehanna River.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- The City of Oneonta is actively working on developing a comprehensive Climate Action Plan aimed at addressing its environmental impact and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
18. Pocahontas, Iowa
- Population: 1,789
- Elevation: 1,220 feet
- Inland location: Far from coastal regions.
- Access to water: Lizard Creek is located in town.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- The Pocahontas County Conservation Board Environmental Education Program is focused on creating awareness of the County’s natural resources by promoting the conservation of these resources and developing an environmentally responsible citizenry.
Little Clear Lake in Pocahontas County, Iowa
19. Whitefish, Montana
- Population: 8,500
- Elevation: 3,028 feet
- Inland location: In the Northern Rockies.
- Access to water: Located on Whitefish Lake and near surrounding rivers.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Whitefish Climate Action Plan - Adopted in 2018, this plan focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to climate change. The plan includes actions like using energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, converting street lights to LED bulbs, and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
- Partnership with Protect Our Winters - In 2022, Explore Whitefish and Whitefish Mountain Resort partnered with Protect Our Winters (POW) to raise awareness about climate change and find solutions to reduce emissions. POW is a community of scientists, athletes, business leaders, and creatives who believe in renewable energy, electric transportation and market policies.
20. Yellow Springs, Ohio
- Population: 3,700
- Elevation: 1,050 feet
- Inland location: Far from coastal areas
- Access to water: Little Miami River is nearby.
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Solar microgrids - The village is installing solar microgrids on low-income apartment buildings to support residents and harness renewable energy.
- Climate change policies - The village has policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower the community's carbon footprint, and increase native habitats.
Additionally, the communities of Frankfort, Indianapolis, Mattoon and Pocahontas participate in the MakeMyMove program, which provides incentives and support to remote workers who relocate to the area. These incentives can include:
- Financial assistance: Cash incentives to help offset moving expenses.
- Professional Benefits: Access to amenities such as coworking spaces and networking opportunities.
- Community engagement: Programs and events to help new residents connect with the local community.
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These communities demonstrate that climate resilience is not just about geographical advantages, but also about proactive planning and community engagement. From water conservation efforts to renewable energy initiatives, these towns and cities are taking concrete steps to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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