The Northeast is expected to experience the warmer conditions typical of the South, while the South may encounter the current climate of Florida, including increased humidity. These changes could be advantageous for solar power generation and atmospheric water generation (AWG) technologies.
Starting in the early 20th century and spanning several decades, Black Americans participated in a "Great Migration" that involved millions relocating from the South to other regions of the country. However, in the last half-century, this trend has reversed, with many making the return journey to the South in what is known as the "New Great Migration."
The reversal of the Great Migration began as a trickle in the 1970s, increased in the 1990s, and has since become a significant movement from many northern areas. This trend is primarily propelled by younger, college-educated Black Americans from northern and western origins. They have significantly contributed to the development of the "New South," particularly in Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina, as well as in metropolitan areas like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston. While these regions experience growth from new immigrants and white in-migration, the ongoing "New Great Migration" has ensured a substantial, and often dominant, presence of Black Americans across much of the American South. Interestingly, these areas are also among the most climate-resilient in the South, as Black communities, historically environmentally conscious, have been pioneers in investing in sustainable energy and advocating for Net Zero construction, alongside Jewish, prepper and homesteading communities.
In northern Georgia, close to the Tennessee border, the city of Dalton gained recognition as the carpet capital of the world. Nowadays, it's more fittingly known as the floor covering capital of the world, having branched out into hardwood, tile, laminate, and various other materials. Many workers, once migrant farmhands in Florida, have found employment in Dalton, turning Florida's loss into Dalton's gain.
Last year, Dalton, known as one of the most diverse communities in the state with a significant Mexican and growing African American population, introduced a new industry to its manufacturing portfolio: the largest solar panel assembly plant in the Western Hemisphere, representing a $150 million investment. This exemplifies the solar energy boom in Georgia. Interestingly, this growth is not driven by the state-level mandates that have spurred renewable energy in other regions, nor by a widespread public outcry over climate change or the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But simple economics.
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