Moving with the Coast: Exploring Relocation in a Changing Climate

As rising seas and stronger storms threaten homes and infrastructure, some coastal residents are wrestling with a fundamental question: when is it time to move away from flood-prone homes? We examine what it means to relocate thoughtfully—ensuring safety, preserving community ties, and planning for a sustainable future. By shifting with the coastline rather than resisting the changes, relocation is a forward-looking strategy that can open pathways to long-term resilience for people and nature alike. 

Host: Emma Gildesgame, Climate Adaptation Director

Also featuring: Leigh Meunier, CREW; Carrie Hulet, CH Consulting; and community members, town counselors, and others from Winthrop, MA.

Note: In the months since we recorded this episode, the town of Winthrop has made news for another reason—it’s being sued by the Massachusetts Attorney General for being out of compliance with the Commonwealth’s MBTA Communities zoning laws. This means that the town is no longer eligible for the state funding it desperately needs to act on climate resilience. The Winthrop Citizen’s Advisory Commission on Climate, which you’ll hear from in this episode, voted to suspend its operations until the town council takes action to change this. As of this episode’s release in February 2026, we’re not sure what’s going to happen next. There are still many people who are advocating and working towards action to keep people in Winthrop safer from climate impacts. Regardless of what happens in this one place, conversations like the one you’re about to hear are happening up and down the Massachusetts coast as people wrestle with hard but essential conversations about our shared future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices