Climate-Induced Migration a New Normal? A Systematic Research Analysis of the Climate-induced Migration Crisis in Bangladesh

Abstract

Today, the contemporary world is witnessing a growing number of individuals facing displacement due to the escalating frequency and intensity of extreme climate events. Devastating disasters such as floods, tornadoes, typhoons, storms, tsunamis, heatwaves, and droughts are causing the displacement of thousands, if not millions, of people globally. As temperatures continue to rise, these extreme events are expected to worsen, leading to rising sea levels, increased droughts, and further displacement of vulnerable populations especially in developing countries. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) highlights a concerning trend, revealing a steady increase in the number of climate refugees forced to leave their homes since 2008. The estimated figure of 318 million people worldwide displaced due to climate change between 2008 and 2021 underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. Regrettably, efforts to address this significant and persistent challenge have been largely limited in both national and international spheres. Climate migrants have often been inadequately protected and their plight insufficiently acknowledged. Additionally, a disconcerting absence of a clear legal classification exists for climate migrants, with the 1951 Refugee Convention failing to encompass their specific circumstances. This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of the climate-induced refugee crisis, with a particular focus on Bangladesh as a case study. By shedding light on the effects of climate change on individuals and society at large, the aim is to draw global attention to the increasingly unacknowledged challenge of climate refugees. Employing a blend of community risk assessment tools, this study adopts an engaged scholarship research paradigm to investigate awareness, vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience-building concerning climate change impacts. The findings of this research underscore the persistence and exacerbation of the climate refugee crisis. Consequently, the paper asserts that it is incumbent upon governments and policymakers worldwide to urgently develop effective policy mechanisms that ensure the protection of global citizens affected by climate change and the recognition of climate refugee status within the UN system. Such mechanisms should facilitate the accommodation and provision of necessary care for climate refugees both within their home countries and abroad. Addressing this pressing issue requires immediate attention and concerted international efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of those affected by climate-induced displacement.