Climate one of main factors in Territorians moving south, data shows

HEAT, high living costs and the distance from other capitals in Australia are all traditional drivers moving people away from the NT to Australia’s southern states, according to new data

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HEAT, high living costs and the distance from other capitals in Australia is have been key traditional drivers moving people away from the NT to Australia’s southern states.

Research by Charles Darwin University Academics Professor Stephen Garnett and Dr Kerstin Zander linked climate change to migration, with Darwin posting its hottest day of the year on Monday – a warm, humid 36.7C.

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Charles Darwin University academic Dr Kerstin Zander said cities in tropical regions were already hot and would only see more days of extreme heat thanks to climate change.

“While many people adapt to heat, some find high temperatures unbearable, particularly if coupled with high humidity,” she said.

While the tropical heat can inspire events such as the Waterfront Cinema in Darwin, research shows it is pushing some Territorians away. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“One adaptation strategy is to move to cooler regions but empirical evidence for this happening is lacking.”

However Dr Zander said reasons for people to migrate south changed depending on age.

“Heat became more important than employment as a reason to migrate for people 50 years and older, and was the most important reason to leave in the oldest age bracket (greater than 69 years),” she said.

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“For young people, economic and social factors dominated migration decisions, with employment the most important.”

The study aimed to assess the extent to which heat influenced migration intentions of people living in the tropical city of Darwin, relative to other drivers, and the type of people most likely to leave because of heat.

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