Climate Change and Moving Intentions: Experience, Perceptions, and Action Regarding Wildfire Threat in Alberta
Creators: Budgell, Kaitlyn S
Publisher: name: University of Alberta Library
Year: 2024

<p>In the province of Alberta, wildfires have been growing in severity and frequency for decades and are expected to worsen. These wildfires threaten an increasing number of individuals and families with poor air quality, destruction of property, and displacement. The effects of natural disasters fueled by climate change, such as wildfires, on migration have been studied in international contexts, however climate migration within Canada has been largely understudied. This research utilizes survey data from the June 2023 Viewpoint Alberta Survey (n = 1439) containing self-reports of attitudes and experiences regarding wildfire and climate change, future moving intentions, and socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of respondents. Inspired by frameworks rooted in social psychology and migration theory including the theory of planned behaviour and protection motivation theory, I investigate the relationships between wildfire experience, perceptions of wildfire and climate change, and intent to move amongst Albertans.<br>
This research revealed disproportionate exposure to severe wildfire among more vulnerable individuals including racialized, young, and socio-economically disadvantaged Albertans. I highlight the relationships between wildfire experiences and socio-demographic characteristics with perceptions of risk and intentions to move. Particularly, I present findings showing that poor health outcomes (both mental and physical) from wildfire were significant predictors of concern regarding both wildfire and climate change and are predictive of intentions to relocate. I suggest that this relationship is important for public health policy and provision planning, as better access to health services and/or better proactive public health strategies may influence migration to or from a region. <br>
The results of this thesis are consistent with other literature that positions political beliefs as, in many cases, more influential to one’s perceptions of climate change and climate disasters than first-hand experience with that disaster. As such, the political landscape of certain regions may best predict their perceptions of wildfire, although they will not necessarily provide insight on moving intentions related to disaster. Reporting intentions to move was more likely among non-homeowners, a group that also experienced higher levels of severe wildfire impact than their counterparts. I discuss the need for future in-depth research on rental-market housing and its placement and vulnerability to wildfire, and subsequent policy to ensure future housing developments consider the costs of wildfire for homeowners and non-homeowners alike.<br>
Overall, I found that Albertans generally are not planning to move because of their experiences with wildfire, except for those with health implications. This means that future policy must prioritize supporting and protecting a population in an often treacherous landscape, including a focus on public health, housing, and supports for vulnerable people who are most affected by wildfires.</p>