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Tag: Migration

  • Is Climate Change a Valid Reason for Migration? Evidence from a Conjoint Experiment

    Is Climate Change a Valid Reason for Migration? Evidence from a Conjoint Experiment

    Is climate change perceived as a legitimate reason for long-term immigration? And under what conditions this perception holds?

    Using a conjoint experiment with a quota-representative sample of Dutch respondents, the research explores public attitudes toward climate migrants.

    Study results show that climate migrants are viewed more favorably than economic migrants but less favorably than asylum seekers fleeing persecution. Contrary to expectations, political ideology and climate attitudes do not significantly moderate these views.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1080/17457289.2025.2514195

    Reference

    Faure, M., Kantorowicz, J., & Weiss, A. (2025). Is climate change a valid reason for migration? Evidence from a conjoint experiment. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties, 1–22

  • Becoming a Climate Migrant: Climate Change and Sequential Migration Decision-Making

    Becoming a Climate Migrant: Climate Change and Sequential Migration Decision-Making

    When and how does someone living through climate crisis decide to migrate? This article theorizes climate migration through an ethnographic case study from northeastern Colombia during a period of prolonged drought.

    Results demonstrate that migration decisions in the context of climate crisis are not single events, but part of a sequence of repeated choices to stay or leave. The number of previous decisions to stay shapes the likelihood of migration, alters the severity of climate impacts needed to trigger movement, and leads to different categories of migrants. These decisions are influenced by households’ material and social resources, as well as their subjective experiences of time under climate stress.

    The study also identifies two main types of climate migrants – adaptive migrants and distress migrants – and also highlights individual strategic migrants as a strategy for household immobility.

    Overall, it argues for a sequential model of climate migration that recognizes multiple pathways and outcomes of mobility and immobility.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1093/socpro/spaf027

    Reference

    Brianna Castro, Becoming a Climate Migrant: Climate Change and Sequential Migration Decision-Making, Social Problems, 2025

  • The Magnitude of Climate Change-Induced Migration: An Overview of Projections and a Case for Attribution

    The Magnitude of Climate Change-Induced Migration: An Overview of Projections and a Case for Attribution

    While it has been vastly proved that weather and climate affect migration, few studies have attempted to project future impacts or attribute past migration patterns to climate change.

    In light of this, in this paper the existing projections of climate change impacts on human migration are reviewed.

    A comparison reveals that projections for international migration from African countries differ by up to two orders of magnitude, while for internal migration even the direction of change is uncertain. None of the existing models adequately explain historical migration trends, limiting confidence in their forecasts.

    The authors then discuss two modeling approaches: econometric models, which identify marginal climate effects but are limited for long-term projections, and total migration models, which can capture complex dynamics but are difficult to constrain.

    In the end, they suggest that future improvements may come from better understanding nonlinear responses to increasingly extreme climate conditions.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2025.1570995

    Reference

    Schewe, J., & Beyer, R. (2025). The magnitude of climate change-induced migration: An overview of projections and a case for attribution. Frontiers in Climate, Volume 7

  • The Nexus Between Migration and Environmental Degradation Based on Fundamental Climate Variables and Extreme Climate Indices for the MENA Domain

    The Nexus Between Migration and Environmental Degradation Based on Fundamental Climate Variables and Extreme Climate Indices for the MENA Domain

    According to the authors of this study, environmental migration has recently become the primary source of population growth in the Middle East and North Africa, as environmental degradation from extreme events has created the environmental refugee concept with a variety of manners affecting lives.

    In line with this, they propose to investigate how environmental degradation and climate extremes influence migration in the MENA region, using a hybrid approach that combines regional climate modeling (RegCM4.4) with statistical analysis (ordered logit). The analysis covers 65 countries and projects impacts for the periods 2021–2050 and 2051–2080.

    The study assesses how key climate variables – maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation – along with indicators such as hot days, tropical nights, and dry days, affect net migration rates.

    Findings show that minimum temperatures are projected to increase in all major cities, while precipitation is expected to decline in mid-latitude and Mediterranean regions.

    Statistical results indicate a positive relationship between rising minimum temperatures and net migration, and a negative relationship between precipitation and migration. These trends suggest that worsening heat and water scarcity may encourage migration toward cooler regions.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2025.100564

    Reference

    An, N., Demiralay, Z., Ucal, M., & Kurnaz, M. L. (2025). The nexus between migration and environmental degradation based on fundamental climate variables and extreme climate indices for the MENA domain. Climate Services, 38

  • Unveiling the Interrelations Between Migration, Climate Change, and Energy Transitions in the Context of Socioeconomic Disparities

    Unveiling the Interrelations Between Migration, Climate Change, and Energy Transitions in the Context of Socioeconomic Disparities

    The interplay between migration, climate change, energy transitions, and socioeconomic inequality are examined in this paper, highlighting their influence on regional resilience and sustainable development.

    Through an analysis of existing literature, it investigates how migration is shaped by environmental stress, energy challenges, and economic inequalities, emphasizing the dual role of migration as both a response to and a driver of climate change.

    Additionally, it analyzes the relationship between energy systems and migration, focusing on how energy access, transitions, and sustainability efforts influence socioeconomic conditions, particularly in vulnerable regions. Key gaps are also identified in the literature, especially concerning the social and economic impacts of these interconnected processes.

    Results suggest that energy transitions can either reduce or intensify regional inequalities and shape resilience to climate-induced migration.

    The authors conclude by advocating for a more integrated policy and research agenda that links climate migration, energy security, and socioeconomic equity.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.3390/en18071625

    Reference

    Łukaniszyn-Domaszewska, K., Mazur-Włodarczyk, K., & Łukaniszyn, M. (2025). Unveiling the Interrelations Between Migration, Climate Change, and Energy Transitions in the Context of Socioeconomic Disparities. Energies, 18(7), 1625

  • The Impact of Climate Change on Forced Migration in the Sahel: Human RightsPerspective (Nigeria as a Case Study)

    The Impact of Climate Change on Forced Migration in the Sahel: Human RightsPerspective (Nigeria as a Case Study)

    Noticing how climate change casts a shadow on Nigeria’s Sahel region, driving environmental degradation, disrupting livelihoods, and displacing communities, with grave consequences, leaving the most vulnerable in the society square up against human rights abuses in their search to escape their environmental misfortune, the authors saw imperative to study the phenomena.

    This narrative review examines the human rights dimensions of climate change–induced migration in Nigeria’s Sahel region, where environmental degradation, livelihood disruption, and displacement have intensified. Anchored in environmental migration theory, a human rights–based approach, intersectionality theory, and governance and policy theory, it explores the drivers, impacts, and potential solutions to this complex issue.

    Droughts, desertification, and erratic rainfall were identified as major environmental factors forcing communities to migrate. Climate change is shown to severely affect livelihoods and food security, raising serious human rights concerns related to access to food, water, health, and education, particularly for vulnerable groups.

    Study results emphasize the need for a comprehensive response that combines climate mitigation and adaptation, stronger legal protections for climate migrants, humanitarian assistance, and investment in sustainable development, and it is concluded that improved collaboration and policy action among stakeholders are essential to address root causes, protect human rights, and ensure that equity and inclusion guide all interventions.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3968/13313

    Reference

    Nenger, Jerome A., Nancy U. Odimegwu and Casmir N. Nwankwo (2024), “The Impact of Climate Change on Forced Migration in the Sahel: Human Rights
    Perspective (Nigeria as a case study)”, Canadian Social Science
    Vol. 20, No. 1, 2024, pp. 23-31

  • Preparing for Climate Migration and Integration: A Policy and Research Agenda

    Preparing for Climate Migration and Integration: A Policy and Research Agenda

    Recent research on climate migration is reviewed in this paper, including projections of future migrant numbers, while introducing a typology that distinguishes strategic migrants, disaster migrants, managed relocation, and trapped populations.

    Drawing on migration theory and research on immigrant and refugee integration, the author proposes that wealthy countries allocate additional visas to poorer countries affected by climate change, partly as a form of climate justice.

    These visas could enable strategic migrants to establish social networks that facilitate further migration and eventually support disaster migrants and relocated communities through co-ethnic relations.

    The author also draws on refugee studies to identify key questions about how best to integrate disaster migrants in the future.

    Additionally, the growing link between climate denialism and anti-immigrant sentiment within right-wing movements is examined.
    It is argued that planning for the successful integration of climate migrants is essential, not only for humanitarian reasons but also to maintain the social trust needed for effective climate mitigation.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2024.2438449

    Reference

    Waters, M. C. (2025). Preparing for climate migration and integration: a policy and research agenda. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 51(1), 4–23

  • Drought and Aridity Influence Internal Migration Worldwide

    Drought and Aridity Influence Internal Migration Worldwide

    While the effects of climate change on migration have attracted wide attention, comparative evidence on their role in internal migration remains scarce.

    Using census-based data from 72 countries (1960–2016) and 107,840 migration flows between subnational regions, this study shows that increased drought and aridity significantly influence internal migration, particularly in hyper-arid and arid regions of Southern Europe, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

    It is evident that migration patterns are shaped by the wealth, agricultural dependence, and level of urbanization of both origin and destination areas, with stronger responses in rural and agricultural regions.

    And although climatic effects on migration are generally stronger in richer countries, poorer regions tend to experience higher out-migration toward wealthier areas within the same country.

    Furthermore, age and education groups respond differently to climatic stress, revealing distinct mobility patterns across population subgroups and geographic contexts.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02165-1

    Reference

    Hoffmann, R., Abel, G., Malpede, M. et al. Drought and aridity influence internal migration worldwide. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 1245–1253 (2024)

  • Effects of Climate Change on Migration in Latin America and Caribbean: A Scoping Review

    Effects of Climate Change on Migration in Latin America and Caribbean: A Scoping Review

    Climate change-induced natural disasters such as hurricanes, landslides, forest fires, and changes in precipitation directly affect rural sectors that depend on field production and other dimensions of everyday life.

    This scoping review examines the health effects of climate change on environmental migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean, a region where evidence on this topic remains limited.

    The review analyzes 31 studies identified from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

    Findings show that climate change affects migrants across three main dimensions: health and healthcare, psychosocial well-being, and infrastructure. Health impacts include limited access to care, underdiagnosis, increased disease vulnerability, and mental health conditions such as stress and anxiety.

    Psychosocial effects involve heightened risks of gender-based violence, social marginalization, family separation, and loss of cultural identity, while infrastructural impacts include environmental degradation and the destruction of agricultural and urban systems.

    The review also documents adaptive responses among migrant populations and offers recommendations for improvement, highlighting the significant and multidimensional consequences of climate change for migrants in the region.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2024.1412285

    Reference

    Cabieses, B., & Huerta, C. (2024). Effects of climate change on migration in Latin America and Caribbean: A scoping review. Frontiers in Climate, Volume 6-2024

  • Climate Change and Migration: A Review and New Framework for Analysis

    Climate Change and Migration: A Review and New Framework for Analysis

    Seeing how most climate-related migration research remains overly environment – centric, a new interpretive framework is introduced in this article.

    The proposed framework considers five pathways through which climate change may influence migration: short-term shocks, long-term climatic changes, environmental “pull” factors, climate adaptation and mitigation measures, and perceptions and narratives.

    While reviewing evidence across these pathways, the study finds that short-term shocks can both increase and reduce migration, while long-term trends provide only a weak basis for predicting future dynamics.

    Nonetheless, it notes that the latter three pathways remain underexplored, by researchers and policymakers alike.

    Overall, the framework and evidence reviewed suggest a broader and more nuanced understanding of climate-related migration than that reflected in recent IPCC assessments and much of the existing literature.

    Learn more about this article here: https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.886

    Reference

    Daoust, G., & Selby, J. (2024). Climate change and migration: A review and new framework for analysis. WIREs Climate Change, 15(4)