Climate Change-Induced Migration in Coastal Bangladesh? A Critical Assessment of Migration Drivers in Rural Households under Economic and Environmental Stress

Abstract

Discussions of climate migration have recognized the need for probabilistic, systematic, and empirical analyses. We examine the importance of environmental stressors in migration using a multi-leveled analysis of a household survey of the climate-stressed rural communities of coastal Bangladesh. We find that a relatively small share (6.5%) of rural coastal people have migrated, overwhelmingly domestically and on a temporary basis. The main motives are better employment opportunities in urban areas, marriage/family reunification, and education. About a third are displaced by flooding that created loss of arable land. Being male, younger, and working outside of agriculture facilitate migration, and also those with greater human and horizontal social capital are more likely to migrate. Exposure to severe river erosion, residing closer to major waterways and in saltwater shrimp farming zones spur migration. Climate migration is in its first instance economic-induced with environmental stress contributing as a secondary factor.

Nexus between Climate Change, Displacement and Conflict: Afghanistan Case

“…The current studies specify that a great portion of environment-induced migration is taking place within national borders. Nevertheless, there is also evidence of a growing number of environment-induced migration across international borders [11,[35][36][37].…”

How does nature contribute to human mobility? A conceptual framework and qualitative analysis

“…In terms of mobility rates of different income groups, findings diverge, hence lending support to both the "environmental capital" and the "migration as last resort" thesis (e.g., Paul and Routray 2011). Beyond this, a recent study by Bernzen et al (2019) found that individuals who are affected by cyclone-induced damage and not employed in the core agricultural and aquaculture sectors are more likely to migrate, suggesting a link between transferable assets, weaker rural ties, and higher flexibility and mobility.…”

“…Reference Types of migration considered Bernzen et al (2019) Migration (defined as "any move from the household in which the person no longer ate meals at the household table, including moves both within the same union and outside the union," p. 6), including both domestic and international moves and temporary (≤ 6 months of absence) and permanent (> 6 months of absence) Call et al (2017) Temporary migration (defined as "an absence from the MDSS study area by any individual for more than one month, followed by a return to the study area by 2003," p. 159) Islam and Herbeck (2013) Permanent and seasonal migration Kartiki (2011) Seasonal, temporary, and permanent migration Mallick and Vogt (2012) Rural-urban migration ("caused by natural hazards which involves both permanent and temporary moves in search of employment and livelihoods as a factor of natural calamities," p. 219) Mallick (2019) Seasonal migration (refers to "those who migrate once or twice at a particular period of the year, usually when there is no available employment in their native communities," p. 10) and circular migration (refers to "those who migrate regularly to earn money so that their families can stay in their place of origin," p. 10), also temporary and permanent, internal and international migration considered Martin et al (2014) Different types of mobility and immobility ("The decision to migrate could mean different scales of movement across time and space, and not to migrate could mean choosing to do so, or being unable to move or, to put it bluntly, being 'trapped'," p. 92) Paul and Routray(2011) Temporary and permanent migration Penning- Rowsell et al (2013) Evacuation, temporary, seasonal and permanent migration (‥These movements may have been either permanent or temporary, very localised or over relatively longer distances (e.g. 200km)," p. 1) Rabbani et al (2013) Temporary and permanent (within the home district, to another nearby district or the capital) Saha ( 2017)…”

“…Drought-induced migration; distress migration referring to specific emergency situations Morrissey (2013) Rural-urban mobility Weldegebriel and Prowse (2017) National and international migration, seasonal labor migration Wondimagegnhu and Zeleke (2017) Rural out-migration, internal and international 2011, Penning-Rowsell et al 2013, Bernzen et al 2019, Mallick 2019; see Fig. 1).…”

Climate Change Induced Human Displacement in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Flood in 2017 in Char in Gaibandha District

“…This climatic change is also one of the supreme issues in Bangladesh. There are five indicators of climate change that have received extensive attention of this country such as annual average temperature, precipitation, catastrophic flooding events, cyclone frequency and strength, and salinization of rivers, groundwater, and soils [19]. As a result of this, due to changing temperatures and precipitation patterns intimidate agriculture and food safety.…”