Table of Contents
Migration of People due to Global Climate Change
Rising Global Temperatures
Global climate migration is a reality of our times. As the earth’s temperature rises, extreme weather events become more frequent and more intense. This affects all people, especially those living in developing countries. In effect, habitats and livelihoods are being destroyed, making it ever more difficult for people to stay in their homes.
For example, in 2018, lower water levels and an extended dry season in South Asia forced thousands of farmers in Bangladesh to abandon their fields. In southern Africa, many people had to flee their homes due to prolonged and severe droughts in 2019 and 2020. Climate change in the US is predicted to grow in the coming years.
Global Weather-Related Climate Disasters
Increasing numbers of people are also fleeing from their homes due to an increase in extreme weather-related disasters, such as floods and hurricanes. Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and Cyclone Idai in 2019 affected millions of people, leading many to relocate to other areas.
In the Caribbean, rising sea levels have caused widespread flooding and soil erosion, which in turn has led thousands of people to relocate. Some Pacific islands have also been deserted due to rising sea levels—examples of this are the Carteret Islands and parts of Kiribati.
Shrinking Food Resources
Global climate change also affects food supplies in various ways. Warming temperatures are leading to water shortages and erratic rainfall, as well as an increase in drought and floods. This, in turn, is leading to decreased soil fertility and agricultural yields.
In India, for example, extreme temperatures and water scarcity are leading to crop losses, resulting in large numbers of people migrating in search of food and better job opportunities. In Africa, even though rainfall has been generally increasing, the uncertainty provided by changing weather patterns has also meant that agricultural production is unable to keep up with population growth. This has forced many people to leave their homes and travel to areas with more stable food supplies.
Political Insecurity and Conflict
Political insecurity and violent conflict can also push people out of their homes in search of more secure lives. In the Middle East and other conflict-affected areas, people are being forced to flee due to violence, poverty, and persecution.
For instance, in Syria, years of unrest have displaced millions of people, forcing them to migrate to other parts of the Middle East and Europe. Similarly, in Myanmar, hundreds of thousands of the Rohingya were forced to flee to Bangladesh to escape persecution.
People in Limbo due to Global Climate Migration
Around the world, people are migrating due to climate change. Some are settled in refugee camps, while others are put into extended limbo in waiting rooms. Many of the world’s migrants are also undocumented—without shelter, food, medical care, or the right to work.
In the US, most migrants from Central America are stuck in limbo and subjected to anti-immigrant rhetoric. In Europe, hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria and other conflict-ridden areas are unable to find secure places of refuge.
Solutions
The global climate change crisis is not only affecting the lives of those already living in difficult circumstances—it’s causing displacement across the board. To address the crisis, governments need to address the root causes of climate change. This can be done through investment in renewable energy, improved infrastructure, resources for adaptation, and restoring of ecosystems.
Governments also need to develop policies that ensure sufficient resources to help those affected by climate-induced displacement and protection for those who flee their homes due to climate-related catastrophes. Such policies must also ensure that the economic rights and opportunities of climate migrants are respected, as well as providing access to adequate healthcare and education.
Conclusion
Global climate change is having a far-reaching impact, and the number of people migrating due to it is only likely to increase. Climate-induced displacement is presenting governments and humanitarian actors with an immense challenge. To respond effectively, governments must adopt policies that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also provide people with the support they need to live secure, dignified lives. Only then can we ensure a just and equitable resolution of this global crisis.