Migration as a result of climate change is seldom spoken about but is likely to be one of the predominant challenges as humanity attempts to grapple with the monumental challenge. Research from the University of Exeter outlines criteria by which such migrations can be deemed successful.
Migration is increasingly acknowledged as a viable approach to address climate-related risks and serve as a form of adaptation. However, it is crucial to recognize that migration alone cannot be seen as a universal solution.
Role of remittances
One aspect often highlighted in this context is the role of remittances, encompassing monetary transfers, ideas, skills, and goods exchanged between migrants and their places of origin. It is believed that remittances play a pivotal role in facilitating adaptation to climate change.
Yet, an extensive analysis spanning continents and decades reveals a more nuanced picture. The research demonstrates that while remittances contribute to enhancing the material well-being of families and households in the areas migrants originate from, this improvement often comes at the expense of the migrants themselves.
In Bangladesh, for instance, migrants find themselves inadequately accounted for in planning and policy, leading to their exclusion from urban structures and services. This exclusion has wide-ranging consequences on various aspects of their daily lives in urban destinations, including living conditions, income security, and ultimately their capacity to continue supporting their families in their home communities.
Responsibility on individuals
“The idea of migration as adaptation places the responsibility of predicting and responding to future risks on individuals, and could justify policy inaction,” the researchers explain. “This is problematic, because where migration is not met with appropriate policy support, it can reinforce vulnerability and marginality and ultimately jeopardize the success of adaptation.”
The study reveals that migration often gives rise to complex dynamics involving well-being, equity, and sustainability, leading to both winners and losers.
The experiences of migration as a form of adaptation are not uniform across all individuals involved. The outcomes of migration vary depending on contextual factors and social characteristics such as age, gender, and ethnicity.
A mixed bag
Certain individuals may reap benefits from migration, while others may face challenges and disadvantages. To illustrate, while the household as a whole may experience improved financial circumstances due to remittances from the migrant member, female household members may find themselves burdened with increased work responsibilities as a result of male migration.
This added workload may strain their ability to maintain agricultural activities and force them to make difficult choices that could potentially undermine the effectiveness of migration as an adaptive strategy.
“In the absence of equity, migration can exacerbate rather than reduce vulnerability to climate change,” the researchers say. “For example, in rural places of origin, constraints on gender equity between men and women at the household and community level, often result in the unsustainable use and management of natural resources.”
Lengthy timeframe
Indeed, the implications of migration for the success of adaptation often unfold over extended timescales, including across different generations.
The authors propose that assessments of the effectiveness of migration as an adaptation strategy should encompass a comprehensive examination of outcomes for migrants, their households, family members in their places of origin, as well as the host society.
Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that certain implications may not be immediately apparent but can manifest over extended periods of time.
To tackle the tensions that hinder the success of migration as an adaptation option, it is crucial to integrate its visibility within policy frameworks and planning. The authors have emphasized potential solutions that can contribute to fostering a supportive policy environment.
“Migrants in cities are disproportionately exposed to social and environmental hazards which negatively affect their health and well-being,” they conclude. “Despite this, they remain largely invisible and voiceless in policy circles. Participatory urban planning and deliberative approaches can support the inclusion of diverse perspectives on building safe, sustainable and resilient cities and can support migration as successful adaptation.”
