Here’s something I’ve pondered occasionally: We all know the long-term demographic shifts that have occurred in the United States as the warmer parts of the country - the South and Southwest - grow at a faster rate than the rest of the country. As these regions grow, that means a corresponding decrease in relative power in northern regions, with the possible exception of the Pacific Northwest. I can understand how that shift of power will work in political terms as those southern regions gain a greater share of seats in Congress.

But what will be the more subtle changes associated with that demographic shift? I suspect that with more centers of power in the south, the perceived disadvantages of the northern climate will hinder northern regions. For example, why establish a corporate headquarters in the North if a majority of people in the country are accustomed to warmer climates? For the same reason, if you’re a southerner, why schedule any meeting in the North between October and April? Why go to school or take a job in the north if you’ve never lived in a cold climate?

It’s difficult to say how much these considerations will hinder the North, but I expect they’ll be real, and the Upper Midwest will probably suffer more since it is colder and more isolated than other northern regions.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 29th, 2006 at 10:48 am and is filed under Geography, Minnesota, Weather, Winter.