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Comment by newleaf | Hacker News Reader

As an insurance policy, where would be the best places to live or buy land now given forecasted trends? I’m primarily thinking of the US, but interested any idea (well, maybe not Siberia…)

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I'd usually suggest someplace away from the equator to get cooler temperatures, and close to a large body of water to reduce temperature swings. Good supply of fresh water is a plus as well. Lower population density reduces the risk of social unrest.

Great lakes, Maine, Northern Europe, Japan, Southern Chile, New Zealand?

Of course, what BC is experiencing right now demonstrates that it may be more complicated or impossible to predict.

Ultimately, anywhere that is relatively wet and/or not located in a forest is probably decently safe from forest fires. In terms of safety from heat waves, there are a few good hedges: a very well insulated house, ideally with some sort of reflective roof. A backup battery system that allows you to run independently in the case of a grid failure. Solar panels that work when the grid is off, which have excess capacity. Redundant cooling systems? If you really wanna go crazy, build a small underground bunker like Colin Furze did.

With these things in place I think you'll be safe enough during any foreseeable heat waves. You still wouldn't be able to go outside on really hot days, but you wouldn't likely die due to overheating.

I think it's worth remembering that climate change isn't just heat waves. The same will also protect you well from cold spells, but you should build a home that fairs well with other extreme weather too.

It didn't get much publicity, but last weekend there was an F4 tornado that destroyed a number of villages in the Czech Republic:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57605651

Tornados are pretty scary but ultimately the likelihood of ever being struck by one directly is not very high. That said, a reinforced cellar could hardly to amiss if planning for extremities. And building on high ground should go without saying. Wouldn't do to have your fortress of solitude flooded out by a heavy rain storm. Not too high though: mud slides.

Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a long term bet: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/heres-the-best-place-to...

Michigan in general is solid because of the great lakes.

Germany. Seriously, I don't know of any other country with such a combination of industry, education, social security, and absence of natural disasters as well as poisonous animals.

With relatively subdued salary levels compared to tax and cost of living, I’m not sure Germany is the best answer.

Isn't it among the best in the EU?

None.

There's been lots of people in the past suggesting that Canada would be a good place to be in as the planet warmed. NOPE!

Such a claim was never accurate. The regions with good soil are already used. Northern Ontario isn't farmed because of climate, but because it's either muskeg or the Clay Belt. While the latter is good soil, all previous attempts to lure settlers failed because both muskeg and the Clay Belt are completely infested with black flies and mosquitos.

(Muskeg also covers Siberia.)

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