The massive wildfires tearing through the Pacific Northwest — and the resulting air pollution that is so thick it's spread across the entire US— is a climate change wakeup call for millions of Americans.
For some Californians, the wildfires are enough for them to exit the state. It's a glimpse of what economists, scientists, and insurance professionals alike say could be in our future: climate change migration, according to an investigation by ProPublica.
While the United Nations says most climate-related displacement is within a country's borders, some, especially the affluent, may consider moving to another country for bluer skies and cleaner air.
InterNations, a resource website for expats, surveyed some 15,000 people who chose to leave their country of birth. Analysts asked them to rate their new home country on a variety of environmental factors, including their perception of the air quality, how strongly they think the government is tackling climate change, and rating local recycling and waste management efforts. Each factor was weighted and then countries were given an overall ranking.
The US ranked 30th out of the 60 countries where people were surveyed, coming just behind Bahrain and before Panama. The low ranking was mainly because expats think the federal government does not care enough about climate change.
These are the top 10 most eco-conscious countries, according to expats.
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10. Luxembourg
View the overall natural environment positively: 92%
Are happy with the air quality: 78%
9. Canada
View the overall natural environment positively: 96%
Think the Canadian population is interested in environmental issues: 71%
8. Germany
View the overall natural environment positively: 90%
Are happy with the availability of environmentally friendly goods and services: 86%
7. New Zealand
View the overall natural environment positively: 96%
Agree the government takes climate change seriously: 85%
6. Denmark
View the overall natural environment positively: 87%
Are happy with the quality of country's water and sanitation services: 93%
5. Switzerland
View the country's natural environment positively: 83%
Are happy with the air quality: 91%
4. Austria
View the country's natural environment positively: 97%
Are happy with the country's waste management and recycling efforts: 91%
3. Norway
View the overall natural environment positively: 93%
Agree the government takes climate change seriously: 89%
2. Sweden
View the overall natural environment positively: 95%
Are happy with the availability of environmentally friendly goods and services: 88%
1. Finland
View the overall natural environment positively: 98%
Are happy with the air quality: 95%