The Climate Exodus was a mass migratory event that occurred during the late 21st century, triggered by rapid ecological collapse, rising sea levels, and extreme weather phenomena across Europe and surrounding regions. It marked the end of the nation-state era and paved the way for the emergence of megacities like Neo-Europa and the rise of corporate-led governance.
Background
Throughout the 2070s and 2080s, climate instability intensified:
- Southern Europe suffered prolonged megadroughts, desertification, and agricultural failure.
- Coastal cities like Amsterdam, Venice, and Thessaloniki were partially or fully submerged due to sea level rise.
- Heatwaves reached lethal levels across the Mediterranean, with temperatures exceeding 50°C in several regions.
Migration Patterns
Tens of millions were displaced from affected regions. Migrants—referred to in early documents as "climate nomads"—moved northward en masse, seeking refuge in still-functional urban cores:
- France, Germany, and the Low Countries experienced population surges.
- Mountain enclaves like AlpenVault became sanctuaries for biotech elites.
- Proto-megacities like Neo-Europa expanded rapidly to accommodate—and exploit—the influx.
Societal Collapse and Corporate Ascendancy
The scale of the crisis overwhelmed traditional governments. Border policies failed, welfare systems collapsed, and public trust evaporated. In the power vacuum, megacorporations seized control:
- Private security replaced police forces in many areas.
- Ledger-based citizenship systems were introduced to manage population control.
- The Council of Nobles in Neo-Europa was formalized shortly after, offering "order through hierarchy."
Legacy
The Climate Exodus is now considered one of the defining traumas of the modern era. Its consequences are etched into Neo-Europa’s:
- Vertical Architecture – designed to layer populations by class and origin.
- Social Stratification – where climate migrants often occupy the lowest tiers.
- Political Mythology – used by the ruling Families to justify corporate rule as necessary for survival.
Cultural Impact
Artists, writers, and VR historians frequently revisit the Exodus as a site of sorrow and transformation. While some view it as a failure of governance, others reframe it as the moment humanity transcended national borders and entered the era of structured techno-feudalism.