Debate on Climate Induced Labour Migration

Abstract

This work presents a comprehensive analysis of literature using a conceptual framework that explains how climate shocks—such as droughts, floods, or extreme temperature swings—affect two aspects of households' lives: (a) their ability to migrate, as they reduce the resources needed to do so, and (b) their vulnerability while remaining in their current location, as they raise the likelihood that they will fall (deeper) into poverty. When combined, these elements aid in the explanation of four major trends observed in the empirical literature: (1) There is no guarantee that climate-induced migration is more common in households with lower incomes; (2) Long-distance domestic migration is more common than local or international migration; (3) Slow-onset climate changes (like droughts) are more likely to cause increased migration than rapid-onset changes (like floods); and (4) The severity of climate shocks affects migration in a nonlinear way, depending on whether the capability or vulnerability channel predominates.