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Change. Amanda Barba
Addressing Migration in the Age of Climate Change | The Journal of Diplomacy
and International Relations (shu.edu)
Addressing Migration in the Age of Climate Change
December 24, 2021 Shivani Shah 0 Comments Climate Change, Displacement,
Human
By Amanda Barba
The age of climate change has brought heightened levels of violence as
competition over essential resources continues to grow to exponential heights.
As a result, individuals have become internally and externally displaced from
their homes. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported
that individuals living in “hotspots” during the climate change crisis are
experiencing high levels of hostility as the fight for survival continues.
Rising levels of political instability, nationalism, and ethnic cleansing
within countries have been noted to occur more frequently as waves of
individuals are forced to find new homes. Other factors that are linked to
heightened levels of conflict include food insecurity and access to clean
drinking water. Studies found that when competition increases over resources
directly linked to household income, communities become more vulnerable to
illicit criminal paths in an attempt to recoup lost income. The world is
beginning to see the effects of climate change and policymakers need to be
evolving with the ongoing problem to provide solutions for those suffering.
Linking Climate Change and Migration
The effects of climate change vary in developed and developing countries, which
explains the difference in responses. Developed, wealthy countries feel the
effects of climate change through an influx of migration from displaced
individuals seeking refuge. Developing countries feel these effects through an
increase in natural disasters, food and water instability, and less
crop-producing yields. Annually, twenty million individuals are forced to leave
their homes to find new ones. This is occurring at the U.S.-Mexico border,
where climate change is affecting migration to the U.S. Climate change has
worsened the already fragile economic insecurity and political instability
within Central America that led to a rise in migration from Mexico to the U.S.
Cases like this are occurring worldwide as migration levels continue to rise
while individuals relocate due to climate change.
It is necessary to discuss climate change and environmental migration within a
context that explains why many individuals have opted to remain in unsafe
locations instead of seeking refugee elsewhere. Many individuals have had to
choose to adapt to the circumstances due to a lack of opportunities, economic
and financial instability, or strict migration and visa policies set in place
that have impeded migration. Adapting within the age of climate change has
included building sea walls, moving further inland to escape the coast, and
even planting new crops that are drought or flood-resistant.
Environmental hazards pose a great threat to populations as seen in the Pacific
Region that has seen a rise in sea level, droughts, flooding, and increased
tsunamis and cyclones. Particularly at high risk are those that are considered
to be “trapped populations” or those that had to relocate within the last ten
years but did not have the financial means to do so. Kiribati, an island
nation, is an example of a “trapped population” in which individuals have a
severe lack of financial resources and physical means to move to another
country. Creating policies, such as stronger migration policies, would be
beneficial and provide relief for those in vulnerable communities feeling the
worst of the effects of climate change. Understanding the vulnerabilities of
communities would pave the path for strong adaptation plans to assist
communities that have been impacted. Accountability measures and enforcement
mechanisms are needed to ensure all members of the international community are
contributing to meeting climate goals will make for a more unified front in
battling this challenge. Policies that allow for climate-smart infrastructure
and restoration projects to rebuild communities after a disaster would also be
advantageous.
Migration cannot be the only option for individuals living in particularly
vulnerable locations, such as these island nations that are experiencing the
worst effects of climate change. Mechanisms must be implemented, as outlined
within the Paris Agreement, including strengthening the dialogue of climate
change, the knowledge and understanding of all aspects and effects climate
change will have on the world, and enhancing combined action and support
through the ways of financial support, technological support, and building of
task forces to monitor situations. Furthermore, developed nations need to
contribute financial aid to the Adaptation Fund that works to provide finances
for programs working to help developing and vulnerable countries adapt to
climate change. As of COP26, $356 million USD has been noted as new pledges,
meaning many countries are recognizing the importance of assisting vulnerable
countries to adapt to the effects of climate change when migration might not be
an option.
Policy Recommendations
As 2022 approaches and the severe effects of climate change are being seen
within our backyards, it will be necessary for developed, wealthy nations to
influence public policy decisions and take the necessary steps to reduce the
drivers of climate migration. The U.S. can reduce its emissions and invest in
the steps necessary to make a concrete change in the long term and implement
federal and state policies that focus on the reduction of GHG emissions while
creating strong bilateral and multilateral agreements with major economies in
the international community to encourage nations to do the same. While these
efforts will work to curb climate change and hopefully slow the fast pace at
which it is accelerating, climate migration must still be an area of focus as
it will not be eliminated anytime soon. It is for this reason that policymakers
have to implement strong immigration programs to create temporary protection
status for climate refugees similar to the Immigration Act of 1990. In an
Executive Order from the White House, a concrete report on climate change and
proposed mechanisms and resettlement programs will be submitted to President
Biden discussing the impacts climate change has on migration. Accountability
measures, enforcement mechanisms, providing financial assistance, and working
with philanthropies to strengthen the discussion of climate change are all ways
in which developed nations can take the necessary steps to curb the effects of
climate change and address the issues of climate migration.
Amanda Barba is a second-year M.A Candidate at the School of Diplomacy and
International Relations at Seton Hall University. She is specializing in
International Law and Human Rights, and International Economics and
Development. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Diplomacy and
International Relations. Amanda received her Bachelor’s in Arts at Seton Hall
University where she majored in English Honors with a focus in Women and Gender
Studies in 2020.
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