A Decision Framework for Environmentally Induced Migration

Abstract

Global environmental change, including climate change, is increasingly affecting ecosystems and the communities who rely on them. Reflecting on the manner in which the environment changes can help provide insights into the different mechanisms by which humans respond and adapt to deal with the environmental stress they face. When it comes to migrating as a response strategy to environmental stress, the pace of change in the environment will have a significant influence on the mode of displacement and migration-related decisions. Determining the exact extent that environmental stresses play in forcing people to move is complex for at least two reasons. First, deciphering which of several push and pull factors influence a decision to move is difficult as multiple factors (e.g., social, political and economic factors) often act simultaneously. Second, environmental degradation processes are often a consequence of the degradation of social, economic and political conditions and vice versa. Reflecting on the concept of social-ecological systems and the notion of ecosystem services is useful for understanding this complexity and can help in determining the extent to which ecosystem degradation plays a role in forcing people to migrate. An attempt is made to address the gap in conceptualising environmental change and migration by sketching a decision framework for categorising people moving due to environmental stressors. The approach examines the circumstances leading to a decision to move, including the state of the environment and coping capacities ⁄ adaptive abilities of those individuals or communities affected. This conceptualisation is not a final scheme but

Vulnerability and adaptive capacity of community food systems in the Peruvian Amazon: a case study from Panaillo

“…The relationship between migration, global environmental change, and adaptation has been widely discussed in climate change adaptation literature (see Black et al, 2011;Warner, 2010). An individual's decision to migrate is a reflection of several factors, including environmental, economic, political, social, demographic drivers (Black et al, 2011;Renaud et al, 2011;Oliver-Smith, 2012). It is thus difficult to directly attribute current or future migration patterns directly to climate change (Black et al, 2011;Renaud et al, 2011;Lilleør & Van den Broeck, 2011;McLeman & Hunter, 2010).…”

“…An individual's decision to migrate is a reflection of several factors, including environmental, economic, political, social, demographic drivers (Black et al, 2011;Renaud et al, 2011;Oliver-Smith, 2012). It is thus difficult to directly attribute current or future migration patterns directly to climate change (Black et al, 2011;Renaud et al, 2011;Lilleør & Van den Broeck, 2011;McLeman & Hunter, 2010). Recent literature has explored the pathways through which climate change impacts might influence migration decisions, typically through the use of case studies and historical analogues (e.g., McLeman & Hunter, 2010).…”

“…Seasonal migration can be considered an adaptive strategy in this case, since it prevents permanent migration out of distress. Several studies have also highlighted how migration of a household member may serve as a risk reduction strategy for climate and non-climate risks by diversifying household income sources (Scheffran et al, 2012;Renaud et al, 2011;Ellis, 2000;Warner, 2010;Adger, 1999).…”

“…Source: Morrissey, 2013Renaud et al (2011 distinguished between three types of environmental migrants:…”

Human mobility and environmental change: A historical textual analysis of United Nations’ policy

“…Le projet EACH-FOR 54 fut une exception à cette évolution dans le sens où il examinait tous les types de processus de changements environnementaux comme déclencheurs, principaux ou secondaires, de déplacements des populations 55 . Même si le financement de ce projet était assuré par l'Union Européenne, sa réalisation était assurée par l'Institut Universitaire des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement et la Sécurité Humaine (UNU-EHS).…”