Climate change and migration

Ravenstein, one of the founders of migration studies, described migration as 'life and progress while others in the field described it as a change-adjustment process. Climate change is expected to bring a significant shift in migration patterns in the developing world. The chronic environmental risks and sudden onset of disasters are expected to change populations and since 2008, an average of 26.4 million people, equivalent to one person every second has been displaced per year from their homes by natural disasters. The environmental changes and the consequences thereof (natural and human-made disasters) have compelled millions of people to flee their homes. However, subsequent studies argued that environmental degradation, particularly climate change, is about to become a significant driver for the displacement of populations. Climate shifts affect ecosystems, including the supplies of water, food, energy, livelihoods, economics, cultures, and societies. It was widely reported in the mid-1990s that a range of severe environmental pressures such as pollution, land degradation, droughts, and natural disasters had forced as many as 25 million persons out of their homes and land. Migration has been gradually seen since the late 2000s as a potential response to climate change adaptation. However, many people try to stay in place during and after various environmental stressors, including climate-related challenges, to retain social networks and livelihoods and escape inexpensive transport. Populations in fragile areas, such as mountains have been highly manipulated. Similarly, there are increased threats in the low-lying coastal regions with rising seas, as many major urban areas are situated near significant flooding bodies. Today, over half of the world's population living in urban areas is located just ten metres above sea level and thus exposed to the threats of coastal flooding, erosion, and submergence. Stern, a researcher indicated that 200 million people would face climate change-induced migration by 2050, while others predicted between 25 million and 30 million 'climatic migrants' per year. A recent report from the Foundation for Environmental Justice indicates that a rise in sea level would cause hundreds of millions of people to be displaced by 2100. For instance, 2016 flooding in Louisiana, the USA, in which some households were displaced for months because of damage to their homes and properties and government relief weaknesses. Similarly, in the 2008 Kosi flooding in Nepal and India, many displaced people were forced to live on embankments even up to a year after the flood due to slow recovery and rehabilitation measures. The effects of climate change vary in developed and developing countries, which explains the difference in responses. Developed, wealthy countries feel the effects of climate change through an influx of migration from displaced individuals seeking refuge. Developing countries feel these effects through an increase in natural disasters, food and water instability, and less crop-producing yields. Annually, twenty million individuals are forced to leave their homes to find new ones. This is occurring at the US-Mexico border, where climate change is affecting migration to the US climate change has worsened the already fragile economic insecurity and political instability within Central America that led to a rise in migration from Mexico to the US. Cases like this are occurring worldwide as migration levels continue to rise while individuals relocate due to climate change. It is necessary to discuss climate change and environmental migration within a context that explains why many individuals have opted to remain in unsafe locations instead of seeking refugee elsewhere. Many individuals have had to choose to adapt to the circumstances due to a lack of opportunities, economic and financial instability, or strict migration and visa policies set in place that have impeded migration. Adapting within the age of climate change has included building sea walls, moving further inland to escape the coast, and even planting new crops that are drought or flood-resistant. Environmental hazards pose a great threat to populations as seen in the Pacific Region that has seen a rise in sea level, droughts, flooding, and increased tsunamis and cyclones. Particularly at high risk are those that are considered to be "trapped populations" or those that had to relocate within the last ten years but did not have the financial means to do so. Kiribati, an island nation, is an example of a "trapped population" in which individuals have a severe lack of financial resources and physical means to move to another country. Creating policies, such as stronger migration policies, would be beneficial and provide relief for those in vulnerable communities feeling the worst of the effects of climate change. Understanding the vulnerabilities of communities would pave the path for strong adaptation plans to assist communities that have been impacted. Accountability measures and enforcement mechanisms are needed to ensure all members of the international community are contributing to meeting climate goals will make for a more unified front in battling this challenge. Policies that allow for climate-smart infrastructure and restoration projects to rebuild communities after a disaster would also be advantageous. Migration cannot be the only option for individuals living in particularly vulnerable locations, such as these island nations that are experiencing the worst effects of climate change. Mechanisms must be implemented, as outlined within the Paris Agreement, including strengthening the dialogue of climate change, the knowledge and understanding of all aspects and effects climate change will have on the world, and enhancing combined action and support through the ways of financial support, technological support, and building of task forces to monitor situations. Furthermore, developed nations need to contribute financial aid to the Adaptation Fund that works to provide finances for programs working to help to develop and vulnerable countries adapt to climate change. As of COP26, USD 356 million has been noted as new pledges, meaning many countries are recognizing the importance of assisting vulnerable countries to adapt to the effects of climate change when migration might not be an option.

As 2022 approaches and the severe effects of climate change are being seen within our backyards, it will be necessary for developed, wealthy nations to influence public policy decisions and take the necessary steps to reduce the drivers of climate migration.