Climate Change Migration Research Articles

Environmentally Induced Human Displacement and Human Rights: Bridging Legal Gaps Through a Human Rights-Based Approach

Abstract This article discusses the complex issue of environmentally induced human displacement and emphasises the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address it effectively. It begins by examining the terminology and underlying causes of environmentally induced human displacement and highlights the interdependence of environmental degradation, climate change and human migration. Next, it stresses the importance of protecting displaced individuals irrespective of terminology and advocates for a human rights-based approach as the most effective means to ensure their legal status and protection. The article calls for a paradigm shift within the human rights regime through the recognition of a right to a healthy environment in a legally binding global instrument. That shift would provide a stronger legal foundation for protecting environmentally induced displaced persons and would bridge the existing gaps in international law. Furthermore, the introduction of this right would empower States to clearly define their obligations and grant displaced individuals access to legal recourse and support systems, ensuring their rights are recognised and upheld.

Migration as Adaptation? The Falepili Union Between Australia and Tuvalu

ABSTRACTAustralia and Tuvalu recently signed a unique treaty called the Australia‐Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty, on climate change adaptation, migration, and security. Here we analyze the treaty's migration provision which will enable citizens of Tuvalu to live and work in Australia. We ground our analysis in the state of knowledge about climate change and migration in Tuvalu, explaining the Falepili Union and the ways in which its migration provision may be either a mechanism for adaptation or maladaptation. We then describe a range of policy conditions to maximize the adaptation outcomes for Tuvalu and Tuvaluans. These include measures from the Australian government to support Tuvaluans who migrate as well as the Tuvaluan‐Australians who will be key to their integration, and invest in key sectors in Tuvalu such as coastal protection, ICT, and transport. Cooperation between the Tuvalu and Australian governments will also be needed to help direct remittances into public goods and adaptive technologies and practices, to harness the benefits of skills and training for both economies and to monitor the scheme to ensure it delivers adaptation outcomes to Tuvalu and Tuvaluans. Further policy measures discussed include the selection of people eligible for migration and improved communications about the benefits and risks and governance of the scheme. Most if not all of these will be necessary if the migration provision of the Faleplili Union is to be a mechanism for adaptation.

Drifting Away from the Roots: Genderfluidity as Diola’s Mangrove Fishing Strategies in Three Island-Villages of Northern Guinea-Bissau

AbstractBiodiversity loss, habitat degradation, globalization, and societal transformations are challenging rural, and especially coastal communities in Guinea-Bissau where mangrove-dependent livelihoods are exposed to increased vulnerability. The Diola, traditional farmer-fishermen of the northern island-villages, have witnessed swift societal changes following the country’s economic liberalization, climate change, and youth migration from rural areas. Despite historically being a secondary subsistence activity with more predefined gender roles rooted in tradition, mangrove fishing has become a major source of cash income. Yet, women’s mangrove fishing contributions are still overlooked, resulting in general assumptions of static female fishing identities with limited control over their income. We present three case studies of Diola women’s involvement in mangrove fishing through a mixed method approach that combines qualitative techniques and household surveys conducted between 2017 and 2023. Specifically, we explore: (1) diverging societal coping strategies and livelihood developments in three Diola villages; (2) the primary drivers behind village-specific societal transformations; (3) social dynamics and female roles in mangrove fishing-related activities and village decision-making; and (4) the political ecology of interventions. Our findings underscore the complexity of gender-fluid small-scale fishing strategies as female roles beyond fish trade defy cultural generalizations. Contemporary Diola women make autonomous personal and work choices that meet their current needs and add to their household budget to face new welfare demands. Inclusive resource governance needs more gender-specific data for meaningfully implemented interventions adapted to local circumstances, enabling an active participation of all genders in conservation practices and development.

Climate change and forced migration

Abstract Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant driver of migration patterns worldwide. As the global temperatures rise, extreme weather events become more frequent, leading to disruptions in livelihoods displacement, and migration. Every day, climate change becomes a more urgent economic, social and existential threat to countries and their people. Climate changes are becoming more and more evident every day, a factor that undoubtedly directly or indirectly affects the displacement of populations. This article provides answers to basic questions starting with how, and where climate change triggers migration and displacement, the second question is if we have a definition for the climate migration, or climate refugee, can they have protection from the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the last analysis is the inadequacy of the protection afforded by international law and European Union law and the Albania Legislation to individuals who leave their country of origin for reasons related to environmental issues. The methodology used to answer the questions of this paper includes desk review on existing literature, legal texts, reports from international organizations, legal framework regulating climate migration rights and the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) regarding the “climate refugees”, the case of Teitiota v New Zealand.

Climate Change Induced Saltwater Intrusion and Migration Intentions in the Mekong Delta

Climate Change Induced Saltwater Intrusion and Migration Intentions in the Mekong Delta

Exploring the relationship between climate change events and migration decisions: Evidence from a choice experiment in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a low-lying deltaic nation with high vulnerability to climate-related hazards. Hatiya Island is located in Southern Bangladesh, and residents rely significantly on fishing and agriculture for their livelihoods. However, the island's primary production systems face a threat from intense and frequent sudden onset environmental hazards such as river erosion, cyclones, and flooding, as well as slow onset environmental hazards like saline intrusion, tidal inundation, and rising temperatures. Little is known about the effect sudden onset and slow onset hazards have on the migration patterns of Hatiya's residents. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between climatic events and the migration decisions of residents on Hatiya Island. To explore this link, we collected empirical data from 337 respondents on Hatiya Island using a choice experiment survey. The five attributes were used to construct migration scenarios, including climate events at Hatiya Island, the distance of migration, the migration type, the social network at the potential destination, and the difference in income between Hatiya Island and the potential destination. The findings from the mixed logit model indicated that climate events at Hatiya, migration distance, and income gap affected residents' migration decisions. Extreme slow onset change and extreme sudden onset change were less likely to induce migration compared to the moderate level of slow and sudden onset change. However, residents were more likely to migrate as the income difference between Hatiya and the prospective destination increased. Residents were willing to migrate at a 9.4 % increase in income for extreme sudden onset change, while residents required a 14.19 % increase in income to migrate in response to extreme slow onset change. As such, policies are needed to support migrants in receiving areas through improved social protection systems, to support migrant-sending households' transformative adaptation in origin areas, and to bolster community-driven adaptation initiatives in Hatiya. The findings from this study can contribute to the existing literature on the relationship between environmental hazards and mobility and inform policymakers on how to design policies that support vulnerable populations.

Zoonotic Diseases in Northen Cyprus: Current and Future Threats

Abstract Diseases transmitted naturally between animals and humans are referred to as zoonoses. Zoonotic diseases are responsible for many pathogenic infections in humans, especially in endemic regions. In recent years, emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infections have become widespread and pose a threat worldwide. Transmitted such bacterial, viral and parasitic infections have been detected in Northen Cyprus over the years. Climate change and human migration are increasing essentially, making such infections potentially more dangerous. To quickly detect these pathogens and limit their spread, it is crucial for the island to control their animal reservoirs. In addition, continued and expanded research is essential for global surveillance. This review aimed to provide an overview of the etiology of the most recorded zoonotic diseases in Northen Cyprus, their impact on human health, and measures to control their spread better.

Maladies infectieuses émergentes dans le contexte du changement climatique et des migrations des populations

Maladies infectieuses émergentes dans le contexte du changement climatique et des migrations des populations

Mapping the Future of Migration and Climate Change Science

The scholarship on migration and climate change has been rapidly developed over recent decades, moving away from apocalyptic predictions of mass displacement toward more nuanced modeling of the complex relationships between climate change and migration. Unfortunately, much of that development has happened in parallel to the core of migration studies and thus our prevailing migration theories do not reflect these emerging studies of climate and migration. Our objectives for this article are to describe the general theoretical assertions made in the climate change-migration literature and propose a theoretical framework for guiding empirical investigations into the ways that climate change drives human migration, identifying the mediating variables that more directly shape migration and integrating multiple levels of analyses. We provide an example of how our theoretical framework can be used to design an analytic strategy and conclude by suggesting how future research can use this conceptual model to move toward a cohesive theory of climate-related migration and resulting policy responses.

Climate change, conflict, and urban migration

The adverse effects of man-made climate change and protracted conflict intensify rural-to-urban migration in many developing countries. This article examines the impacts of climate and conflict migration on urban environments and on migrants themselves. To trace the distinctive pathways by which climate change and conflict drive migration as well as shared challenges for urban planning and services, we employ qualitative case studies of Jordan, Pakistan, and Honduras informed by interviews and secondary literature. These countries are chosen as they exemplify the compounding, cumulative impacts of climate change and conflict on urban expansion and the challenges in providing adequate public services in these contexts. Across all three cases, climate hazards threaten rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity, increasing rural to urban migration, while civil conflict and gang violence further induce urban migration, both internally and across borders. In Jordan, we assess the impacts of increasing water scarcity and conflict-driven refugee flows on infrastructure and public services. Pakistan’s experience highlights the impacts of rapid-onset natural disasters, severe water scarcity, and enduring refugee flows from Afghanistan on environmental quality and pollution within cities. In Honduras, we analyze how increasing droughts and hurricanes, combined with gang presence in cities, affect migrants in terms of increased violence and negative physical and mental health impacts. Together, these cases illuminate the need for context-specific proactive policy measures that address the independent and interrelated ways that climate change and conflict lead to migration and the subsequent profound impacts on urban development and human well-being.

Case of vector-borne coinfection in a dog

Vector-borne diseases (VBD) in dogs, such as babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and dirofilariasis, pose a significant threat to animal health in many regions worldwide, including Ukraine. These diseases are transmitted through the bites of ectoparasites, such as ticks and mosquitoes. With increasing urbanization, climate change, and population migration, the risk of spreading these diseases is significantly heightened. This article is dedicated to the case analysis of a dog in Ukraine diagnosed with two vector-borne diseases simultaneously, focusing on the clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches for these conditions. Currently, the prevalence of VBD in dogs in Ukraine is insufficiently studied. There are only sporadic reports of isolated pathogens, with comprehensive information needing to be included. A case of concurrent dirofilariasis and babesiosis in a dog is presented. In the spring of 2024, an 8-year-old intact male German shepherd was brought to a veterinary clinic in Kamianets-Podilskyi due to general weakness. Clinical signs included fever, vomiting, slightly pale mucous membranes, and a mild cough. Following abdominal ultrasound and blood sample collection, anti-inflammatory and antiemetic medications were prescribed. A blood smear revealed Babesia canis and treatment with imidocarb was initiated. However, after a week, the dog's condition did not improve. A repeat blood test detected live microfilariae, and the CaniV-4 test identified antibodies to D. immitis, confirming dirofilariasis. Molecular studies corroborated the diagnosis. Follow-up echocardiography and radiography did not reveal visible adult worms in the heart. The dog was treated with melarsomine and a combination of imidacloprid and moxidectin. Two months later, follow-up blood tests showed no presence of microfilariae, and all blood and biochemical parameters were within normal ranges. The dog was under continuous veterinary supervision for the following months. Overall, there is a noticeable trend in the increase of VBD among dogs in Ukraine, necessitating heightened attention from veterinary services and pet owners. Regular preventive measures, such as ectoparasite control and health monitoring, are crucial for managing the spread of these diseases.

Potential impact of climate change on Nearctic leafhopper distribution and richness in North America

Climate change significantly contributes to shifts in the geographical range of pests and diseases. Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), known vectors of phytoplasmas pathogens, are linked to the transmission of more than 600 diseases affecting a thousand plant species worldwide. Despite this, the potential effects of climate change on leafhopper vectors of phytoplasmas remain a critical knowledge gap. To address this gap, our study investigated the potential impact of climate change on 14 species of Nearctic leafhoppers previously associated with phytoplasma-related diseases. Using the MaxEnt species distribution algorithm and other ecological niche modeling techniques, we assessed (i) the expected species richness under current climate conditions and four future scenarios and (ii) the environmental niche similarity among these species across these scenarios. Our projections suggest that the eastern region of North America holds the potential for the highest species richness, a trend expected to persist across all future scenarios, gradually expanding eastward. Notably, our findings indicate the increasing suitability of northern Canada for more species. Network analysis further revealed a remarkable similarity in environmental niches among most leafhopper species. Moreover, across the four future scenarios, there is a tendency for an increase in this similarity. Altogether, our study underscores the potential persistent presence of Nearctic leafhoppers in their current habitats while pointing to a shift toward northern North America in future scenarios. These findings have significant implications for sustainable pest management practices, prompting a necessary discussion on strategies to mitigate climate change and pest migration’s impact on agricultural systems.

THE SECURITY OF EU CITIZENS WHEN CONFRONTED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISINFORMATION

The paper explores the evolving challenges of disinformation campaigns and climate change migration within the European Union (EU) and NATO. It highlights the urgent need for proactive and coordinated responses to safeguard democratic societies and governance systems. Disinformation, propagated through digital platforms, threatens democratic processes and public discourse. Meanwhile, climate change exacerbates societal upheaval and migration patterns, posing complex security implications. The paper emphasizes the imperative of integrating environmental considerations into conflict resolution strategies and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to counter disinformation effectively. By elucidating the multifaceted nature of these threats, the paper underscores the importance of collective action to address climate-related security challenges and preserve international stability. Ultimately, it calls for comprehensive strategies that promote media literacy, enhance digital resilience, and foster inclusive dialogue to mitigate the adverse effects of disinformation and climate change migration.

Mental health and justice beyond borders: Global crises, sociopolitical determinants, and contemporary practices in forensic psychiatry

In an era marked by escalating international crises, environmental shifts, and sociopolitical volatilities, global mental health is facing profound challenges. With its distinctive position at the intersection between clinical and judicial domains, forensic psychiatry can be predisposed to the consequences of adverse external determinants and events. At present, geopolitical conflicts, rising insecurities, climate change, forced and voluntary migration, and regressive sociopolitical ideologies are all compounding role responsibilities, care models, and ethical expectations across forensic-psychiatric practice; in short, complex distal factors are increasingly informing domestic considerations. These far-reaching concerns indicate a need for adaptive and proactive responses, underpinned by cultural sensitivity, social justice, and respect for human rights. Through illustrative examples from different regions, this perspective paper calls for a greater recognition of the transnational dynamics that are affecting local contexts of practice. Equally, it outlines the importance of advocacy, interdisciplinary collaborations, and potential evolutions in training and ethical frameworks to address contemporary issues. By adopting these approaches, forensic psychiatrists can promote more just systems and equitable mental healthcare for patients amidst the uncertainties of an interconnected and rapidly transforming world.

Valuable Beyond Vulnerable: A Scoping Review on the Contributions of Older Forced Migrants in Post-migration Recovery

AbstractDuring times of crisis, including pandemics, climate change, and forced migration, much of the discourse in ageing research and intervention centers on the vulnerabilities of older adults. Unfortunately, the valuable contributions of older adults to post-disaster recovery and healing are often overlooked and undervalued. Our aim in this scoping review is to shed light on the critical contributions of older forced migrants to post-migration recovery. We set the scene by introducing the two significant global demographic changes of the twenty-first century: forced migration and ageing. We provide a discourse on older forced migrants, ageing in situations of forced migration, and some of the challenges faced by older forced migrants. We then present some of the substantial roles of older forced migrants in post-migration recovery, including building resilience, contributing to culture and language transfer, providing emotional support, offering mentorship and leadership, participating in community building, and fostering social integration. We close by highlighting some of the lessons that can be drawn from understanding the unique roles played by older adults in post-forced migration recovery and the key actions necessary to promote these roles.

Climate Change-Related Drivers of Migration in East Africa: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Despite the growing academic concern and policy interest in climate change drivers of migration, scientific evidence on the topic remains contested, with divergent claims of positive and negative contributions of climate change on human migration and displacement. This review seeks to assess the climate change-related drivers of migration with a focus on three East African countries: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. They are among the most vulnerable countries in Africa, with one of the most mobile populations. The study used the available literature on climate change and migration as the data source. About 22 research articles on climate change and migration were sourced from the Web of Science and Scopus databases and critically reviewed. The review generally indicates that climate change effects such as frequent drought and flood disasters, livestock pests, and crop diseases influence migration and displacement in the region. On the other hand, rising sea levels pose imminent risks that can cause migration if adaptation measures are not taken. The review has also revealed that responses to drought or livestock and crop diseases, be it localized adjustment or out-migration, are determined by households' adaptive capacity. For rapid onset climate events such as floods, the most vulnerable are the less fortunate living in poorly constructed structures in flood-prone zones. This review proposes strengthening the climate policy framework by mainstreaming climate change migration in East African nations’ adaptation plans. It also calls for promoting alternative livelihood activities as an adaptation strategy in areas prone to climate change to lessen human-forced migration and displacement.

The Impact of Climate Change on Socio-Economic and Migration as Adapted Coping Strategies in the Eastern Agro-Climatic Zone of Afghanistan

Climate change migration has become one of the main challenges in 21st century. Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world due to climate induces in the last three decades. The present study objective to find how the climate change impact on the socio-economic and migration as adapted coping strategies in eastern agro-climatic zone of Afghanistan. The study area was non-probability selected and data were collected from three provinces, Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman out of four provinces according the sample size calculation method 384 sample respondents were face to face interviewed through a structured developed questionnaire. The result of the study showed that socio-economic impact of climate change about 60 percent of respondents say from high to a very high impact on health, agricultural products, opportunity, migrations, and reduction of household income. The results discovered that the sampled respondents among the eight coping strategies internal displacement as the main coping strategy, following the change in cropping pattern, new bore well and migrating children to another country as adapted strategies to mitigate climate variability in the eastern agro-climatic zone of Afghanistan. The study suggests that the government should develop new strategies for natural resources management, construct water dams, create a centralized system for climate data, adoption of technological innovation, and weather-based crop insurance, establish automatic weather stations and increase investment in sustainable agriculture to mitigate the climate change impact in the future.

Global ethics in practice

ABSTRACT This paper is a study of ethics – in practice. It examines how people in the world, and more particularly in rich countries, have responded to the ethical challenges associated with recent crises: climate change, COVID-19 and international migration. What has been the nature of the discourse? What international agreements have been made? Have they, in practice, been followed up? The evidence is that – in practice – nations, and by implication their citizens, have displayed very little obligation to those beyond their boundaries. A few exceptions may, however, be noted; where citizens of ‘nearby’ countries receive preferential treatment.

Urbanization and Climate Change Migration

Urbanization and Climate Change Migration

Drawing the Linkage Between Women's Reproductive Health, Climate Change, Natural Disaster, and Climate-driven Migration: Focusing on Low- and Middle-income Countries - A Systematic Overview.

One of the most important aspects of women's well-being and welfare is RSH (reproductive and sexual health). Reproductive health is not an exception to the threat that CCC (climate change and climate crisis) poses to numerous facets of public health. Firstly, the present review seeks to identify the influence of climatic changes, natural disasters, and climate-driven migration on RSH. Secondly, to identify knowledge gaps regarding the same. Two databases (Scopus and PubMed) were scanned using Boolean operation. The literature search aimed to find records pertaining to topics of RSH and climate change. Using the PRISMA-ScR method, records were screened and shortlisted based on established inclusion criteria. This literature search was carried out in November 2022. In the shortlisted records, preference for the comprehensive review articles was given. The present review is based on 38 records that collectively revealed that climate crisis and natural disasters have many negative impacts on female reproductive health. These effects are observed in different phases of life, ranging from teenage to menopause. The unique strength of the present review is that it draws a relationship between female reproductive health and the direct as well as indirect effects of the CCC. The available literature about LMICs is predominantly confined to drought, flood, and earthquake. Disasters like tsunamis, cyclones, and avalanches remain unexplored. From the available literature, it is quite evident that CCC has an adverse effect on a woman's reproductive life as well as a bearing on future generations' health. Filling these knowledge gaps is pivotal for designing more effective disaster and health policies. Policymakers should take into consideration these detrimental effects while designing health schemes and policies for females.