E.g., 04/29/2024
E.g., 04/29/2024
Climate Change

Climate Change

_climatechange lr

Climate change is a driver of human migration that many people expect will dwarf all others in its impact. While the effects of climate change on migration have generated significant attention, some of the most commonly repeated predictions of the numbers of people who will be displaced are not informed by an understanding of migration dynamics. Displacement is almost always a result of a complex mix of factors; people adapt to changes and governments (and a few other powerful actors) can influence what kind of movements take place in response to environmental changes.

Recent Activity

Rising sea levels threaten Pacific Islands
Articles
June 13, 2018
No Retreat: Climate Change and Voluntary Immobility in the Pacific Islands
By Carol Farbotko
South Sudanese child
Articles
October 24, 2017
Spiraling Violence and Drought Drive Refugee Crisis in South Sudan
By Getachew Zeru Gebrekidan
DroughtEthiopia UNICEFEthiopia Flickr
Articles
February 3, 2017
With Millions Displaced by Climate Change or Extreme Weather, Is There a Role for Labor Migration Pathways?
By Michelle Leighton and Meredith Byrne
Cover Top10 7NatDisasters
Articles
December 10, 2015
Climate Change and Natural Disasters Displace Millions, Affect Migration Flows
By Liz Heimann
Nepalearthquake2015 ILO Shukuko Koyama
Articles
June 18, 2015
Redefining Nepal: Internal Migration in a Post-Conflict, Post-Disaster Society
By Paul Clewett
coverthumb TCM Protection Zetter
Reports
March 2015
Protection in Crisis: Forced Migration and Protection in a Global Era
By  Roger Zetter
EventPH 2014.03.20 Human Rights, Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration A New Paradigm
Multimedia
March 20, 2014
Human Rights, Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration: A New Paradigm
Cover IOM BriefNo8 ClimateChange 2014
Policy Briefs
March 2014
Human Rights, Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration: A New Paradigm
By  Rabab Fatima, Anita Jawadurovna Wadud and Sabira Coelho

Pages

Recent Activity

Articles
June 13, 2018

No Retreat: Climate Change and Voluntary Immobility in the Pacific Islands

While media and academic discussions of "climate refugees" paint a picture of mass displacement of millions, in reality many communities vulnerable to climate change may choose to stay as a result of strong cultural, historical, and spiritual attachments to place. This article explores this "voluntary immobility" and its implications in the Pacific Islands.

Articles
October 24, 2017

Spiraling Violence and Drought Drive Refugee Crisis in South Sudan

Nearly 4 million South Sudanese have been driven from their homes by violence or food insecurity since late 2013, roughly half seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Drought and conflict have converged in the young country to fuel one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies. This article examines refugee flows from South Sudan, underlying drivers, and regional and international responses to the crisis.

Articles
February 3, 2017

With Millions Displaced by Climate Change or Extreme Weather, Is There a Role for Labor Migration Pathways?

Climate-related displacement is not hypothetical: An average of 21.5 million people per year have been displaced since 2008 by natural disasters, and thousands more have fled slow-onset environmental hazards. While migration can serve as a safety valve to adapt to changing conditions, few orderly, legal channels exist for climate migrants (also known as environmental migrants), as this article explores.

Articles
December 10, 2015

Climate Change and Natural Disasters Displace Millions, Affect Migration Flows

From earthquakes to drought, natural disasters and climate change played a key role in migration flows in 2015. Climate-induced migration surfaced as a concern at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (known as COP21) as international organizations and policymakers have begun to recognize the growing challenges, and potential protection obligations, of such movement.

Articles
June 18, 2015

Redefining Nepal: Internal Migration in a Post-Conflict, Post-Disaster Society

Even as Nepal will lean more heavily on its international diaspora to help recover from devastating earthquakes that killed thousands and decimated parts of the country, the disasters have had effects on internal migration. Class and gender dynamics have long driven significant internal flows. This feature article explores migration trends in Nepal, including movement between ecological zones, growing urbanization, and the feminization of an increasingly mobile workforce.
Reports
March 2015

Protection in Crisis: Forced Migration and Protection in a Global Era

More than 51 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced today as refugees, asylum seekers, or internally displaced persons. This report details the increasing mismatch between the legal and normative frameworks that define the existing protection regime and the contemporary patterns of forced displacement.
Audio
March 20, 2014

Human Rights, Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration: A New Paradigm

This MPI event, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), discusses the critical issue of climate-related displacement in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on the vulnerability of environmental migrants and how the international legal framework can better ensure their protection.

Policy Briefs
March 2014

Human Rights, Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration: A New Paradigm

This issue brief addresses the rights of migrants whose movement is induced by environmental degradation or climate change, particularly in the highly vulnerable Asia-Pacific region. The brief evaluates the current international legal framework, identifies gaps in the framework and its implementation, and reviews options available to the international community.

Pages