Duluth Mayor Emily Larson: The Role and Opportunity of a Climate Refuge

Sat, Jan 28, 3:30 pm
American Swedish Institute
Part of the Climate Solutions Series
Moderated by MPR’s Dan Kraker

Many Minnesotas think of Duluth as a popular vacation spot, the home of a University of Minnesota campus, and an international shipping port. It may be surprising, then, to learn that its location on the shores of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, city infrastructure, and relatively cool climate also make Duluth a likely climate refuge in the coming years. Climate refuges are geographical areas that will be less impacted by climate change due to their location, making them vital and appealing places for those displaced or seeking relief. Mayor Emily Larson has taken seriously the questions of how to prepare Duluth to become such a haven.

Emily Larson was elected Mayor of Duluth in November 2015 and reelected in November 2019. Prior to becoming mayor, Emily was President of the Duluth City Council, served as a commissioner on the Duluth Economic Development Authority, and was the City Council conduit to Parks and Libraries.

Currently, Mayor Larson serves on the Executive Council of the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota, the Mayors Advisory Council on Coastal Resilience, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund Board of Directors, Minnesota Mayors Together, and the Minnesota Sea Grant Advisory Board. As mayor, her priorities include: addressing economic, racial, and opportunity disparities city-wide; advancing energy efficiency and climate resilience; increasing and improving the city’s affordable housing stock; ensuring every resident has access to reliable, high-speed broadband internet; and continuing to grow Duluth’s robust and unique economy.

Emily earned an undergraduate degree from the College of St. Scholastica, a Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and is a graduate of Intermedia Arts Creative Community Leadership Institute. She is an active trail runner and full-time admirer of Lake Superior. Emily is married to Doug Zaun and together they have two grown sons.

Dan Kraker is an award-winning correspondent for Minnesota Public Radio based in Duluth, where he covers environmental and economic issues in northeastern Minnesota for MPR News. He also files regularly for National Public Radio, Marketplace and other national shows. Prior to coming to Duluth about ten years ago, he was news director for Arizona Public Radio in Flagstaff.