Landslides and Climate Change Displace Millions

Jan Freihardt of ETH Zurich observes a connection between the recent landslide in Blatten, Switzerland, and broader global trends of climate-induced displacement. One year after the landslide, work has begun to rebuild the road to Blatten, offering some residents hope. However, many question whether the rebuilt village can truly replace the old one, tying into deeper feelings about home.

Freihardt notes this loss of home is similar in Switzerland to the erosion of coastlines he witnessed for years in Bangladesh. In 2024, roughly 46 million people left their homes due to climate-related disasters like floods and droughts—nearly double the average of the last decade. Flooding and storms caused the most displacement, disproportionately affecting South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Freihardt emphasizes that most climate migrants do not leave the region, often relocating to nearby cities or with family. Alpine regions like Switzerland are increasingly vulnerable, with melting glaciers and unstable slopes reshaping landscapes and perceptions of home. The definition of “home” itself may need reevaluation as environmental changes continue.