Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Climate–Migration Nexus: A Reorientation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Disentangling Migration and Climate Change

Abstract

The introduction discusses the current ‘climate migrant’ debate. It further elaborates on the topic of ‘climate migration’ from a sociological view point and introduces the chapters of the book.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    For categorisations of climate related “push factors” see inter alias Hugo 2010; Kniveton et al. 2008; Renaud et al. 2011.

  2. 2.

    The source refers to a range between 2.1 and 11 degrees Fahrenheit (1°F equates 0.378 °C).

  3. 3.

    EM-DAT defines‚ affected people’ as the ‘number of people requiring immediate assistance during a period of emergency which may include displaced or evacuated people’ (CRED 2011, p. 9).

References

  • Adam, D. (2005). 50 m environmental refugees by end of decade, UN warns. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2005/oct/12/naturaldisasters.climatechange1.

  • Adger, W. N., & Kelly, P. M. (1999). Social Vulnerability to Climate Change and the Architecture of Entitlements. In Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 4(3), 253–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adger, W. N., Kelly, P. M., Winkels, A., Huy, L. Q., & Locke, C. (2002). Migration, remittances, livelihood trajectories, and social resilience. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 31(4), 358–366 (2002). doi:10.1579/0044-7447-31.4.358.

  • Alscher, S. (2008). Environmental factors on Mexican migration: The cases of Chiapas and Tlaxcala. Mexico case Study, EACH-FOR delivery. Retrieved from http://www.each-for.eu/documents/CSR_Mexico_090126.pdf.

  • Ammer, M. (2009). Climate change and human rights: The status of climate refugees in Europe. Swiss Initiative to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the UDHR. Retrieved from http://www.udhr60.ch/report/ClimateChange-paper0609.pdf

  • Ammer, M., Nowak, M., Stadlmayr, L., & Hafner, G. (2010). Rechtsstellung und rechtliche Behandlung von Umweltflüchtlingen (54/2010). Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakewell, O. (2011). Conceptualising displacement and migration: Processes, conditions, and categories. In K. Koser & S. Martin (Eds.), The migration-displacement nexus: Patterns, processes, and policies (pp. 14–28). Oxford: Berghahn Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, J., & Webber, M. (2010). Migration as adaptation: Opportunities and limits. In J. McAdam (Ed.), Climate change and displacement. Multidisciplinary perspectives (pp. 37–56). Portland: Hart Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, S. (2010). Climate refugees beyond Copenhagen: Legal concept, political implications. Analysis 12, Brot für die Welt and “Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe”. Stuttgart: Diakonisches Werk der EKD e.V.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, P. L., & Luckmann, T. (1966). The social construction of reality: A treatise in the sociology of knowledge. New York: Anchor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biermann, F. & Boas, I. (2007). Preparing for a warmer world: Towards a global governance system to protect climate refugees. Global Governance Working Paper No. 33. Retrieved from http://www.sarpn.org/documents/d0002952/Climate_refugees_global_governance_Nov2007.pdf.

  • Black, R. (2001). Environmental refugees: Myth or reality? New Issues in Refugee Research, Working Paper No. 34. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohle, H. G., Downing, T. E., & Watts, M. J. (1994). Climate change and social vulnerability: Toward a sociology and geography of food insecurity. Global Environmental Change, 4(1), 37–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. (2010). Climate-induced community relocation in the pacific: The meaning and importance of land. In J. McAdam (Ed.), Climate change and displacement. Multidisciplinary perspectives (pp. 57–80). Portland: Hart Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cannon, T. (1994). Vulnerability analysis and the explanation of ‘natural’ disasters. In A. Varley (Ed.), Disasters, development and environment (pp. 13–30). Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castles, S. (2002). Environmental change and forced migration: Making sense of the debate. New Issues in Refugee Research, Working Paper No. 70. Geneva: UNHCR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christian Aid. (2007). The human tide: The real migration crisis. London: Christian Aid. Retrieved from http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/human-tide.pdf.

  • Cournil, C. (2011). The protection of ‘environmental refugees’ in international law. In E. Piguet, A. Pécoud, & P. de Guchteneire (Eds.), Migration and climate change (pp. 359–387). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Moor, N. (2011). Labour migration for vulnerable communities: A strategy to adapt to a changing environment. Working Paper No. 101/2011. Bielefeld: Center on Migration, Citizenship and Development (COMCAD), Bielefeld University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Docherty, B., & Giannini, T. (2009). Confronting a rising tide: A proposal for a convention on climate change refugees. Harvard Environmental Law Review, 33(2), 349–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dun, O. (2009). Linkages between flooding, migration and resettlement. Viet Nam case study, EACH-FOR delivery. Retrieved from http://www.each-for.eu/documents/CSR_Vietnam_090212.pdf.

  • El-Hinnawi, E. E. (1985). Environmental refugees. New York: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

    Google Scholar 

  • Emergency Events Database [EM-DAT]. (2011). Number of disasters reported 1900–2010 and Number of people reported affected by natural disasters 1900–2010. Natural disaster trends of the International Disaster Database, Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). Retrieved from http://www.emdat.be/natural-disasters-trends.

  • Epiney, A. (2011). Environmental refugees: Aspects of international state responsibility. In E. Piguet, A. Pécoud, & P. de Guchteneire (Eds.), Migration and climate change (pp. 388–414). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faist, T. (2000). The volume and dynamics of international migration and transnational social spaces. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Faist, T. (2008). Migrants as transnational development agents: An inquiry into the newest round of the migration-development nexus. Population, Space and Place, 14(1), 21–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris, E., Cernea, M. M., & Petz, D. (2011). On the front line of climate change and displacement: Learning from and with pacific countries. Washington D.C.: The Brookings Institution.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geest, K. v. d. (2009). Migration and natural resources scarcity in Ghana. EACH-FOR delivery. Retrieved from www.each-for.eu/documents/CSR_Ghana_090126.pdf.

  • Geist, H. J., & Lambin, E. F. (2001). What drives tropical deforestation?: A meta-analysis of proximate and underlying causes of deforestation based on sub-national case study evidence. LUCC Report Series No. 4. Belgium: The Land-Use and Cover-Change (LUCC) Project, LUCC International Project Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gemenne, F. (2011a). Why the numbers don’t add up: A review of estimates and predictions of people displaced by environmental changes. Global Environmental Change, 21(1), 41–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gemenne, F. (2011b). How they became the human face of climate change: Research and policy interactions in the birth of the ‘environmental migration’ concept. In E. Piguet, A. Pécoud, & P. de Guchteneire (Eds.), Migration and climate change (pp. 225–259). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, B. (2010). Rethinking the role of population in human security. In R. A. Matthew, J. Barnett, B. McDonald, & K. L. O’Brien (Eds.), Global environmental change and human security (pp. 193–214). Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschman, A. O. (1970). Exit, voice, and loyalty: Responses to decline in firms, organizations and states. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homer-Dixon, T. (1999). Environment, scarcity, and violence. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homer-Dixon, T., Boutwell, J. H., & Rathjens, G. W. (1993). Environmental change and violent conflict. Scientific American, 268(2), 38–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hugo, G. (2010). Climate change-induced mobility and the existing migration regime in Asia and the Pacific. In J. McAdam (Ed.), Climate change and displacement. Multidisciplinary perspectives (pp. 9–36). Portland: Hart Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Organisation for Migration [IOM]. (2007). Discussion note: Migration and the environment. MC/INF288, 94th session. Geneva: IOM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC]. (2012). Summary for policy makers. In C. B. Field, V. Barros, T. F. Stocker, D. Qin, D. J. Dokken, K. L. Ebi, et al. (Eds.), Managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation. A special report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (pp. 1–19). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (1990) Climate change: The IPCC impact assessment (1990). Report prepared for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change by Working Group II; [W.J. McG. Tegart, G.W. Sheldon & D.C. Griffiths (Eds.)]. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (1996). Climate change 1995: Impacts, adaptations and mitigation of climate change—Scientific-technical analysis. Contribution of Working Group II to the second assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2001). Climate change 2001: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the second assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2007a). Climate change 2007: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2007b). Climate change 2007: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Geneva, Switzerland: IPCC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, J. L. (1988). Environmental refugees: A yardstick of habitability. Worldwatch Paper No. 86. Washington D.C.: Worldwatch Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kibreab, G. (1994). Migration, environment and refugee hood. In B. Zaba & J. Clarke (Eds.), Environment and population change (pp. 115–129). Liege: International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, Derouaux Ordina Editions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kliot, N. (2004). Environmentally induced population movements: Their complex sources and consequences. In J. D. Unruh, M. S. Krol, & N. Kliot (Eds.), Environmental change and its implications for population migration (pp. 69–99). Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kniveton, D., Schmidt-Verkerk, K., Smith, C., & Black, R. (2008). Climate change and migration: Improving methodologies to estimate flows. IOM Migration Research Series No. 33. Geneva: IOM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laczko, F., & Aghazarm, C. (Eds.). (2009). Migration, environment and climate change: Assessing the evidence. Geneva: IOM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lonergan, S. (1995). Population movements and the environment. Refugee Participation Network, 18, 4–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Massey, D., Arango, J., Hugo, G., Kouaouci, A., Pellegrino, A., & Taylor, E. (1993). Theories of international migration: A review and appraisal. Population and Environment Review, 19(3), 431–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, J. (1993). Refugees and the environment. In R. Black & V. Robinson (Eds.), Geography and refugees: Patterns and processes of change (pp. 157–170). London: Belhaven.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, J. (1994). Climate change and involuntary migration: Implications for food security. Food Policy, 19(2), 120–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milan, S. (2004, June 19). Refugee day: Searching for a place under the sun. Inter Press Service, Rieti, Italy. Retrieved from http://www.ipsnews.net/2004/06/refugee-day-searching-for-a-place-under-the-sun/.

  • Myers, N. (1993). Environmental refugees in a globally warmed world. BioScience, 43(11), 752–761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, N. (1996, April). Environmentally-induced displacements: The state of the art. Paper presented at the International Symposium ‘Environmentally induced population displacements and environmental impacts resulting from mass migrations’, Geneva: IOM and UNHCR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, N., & Kent, J. (1995). Environmental exodus: An emergent crisis in the global arena. Washington, D.C.: Climate Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penz, P. (2010). International ethical responsibilities to ‘climate change refugees’. In J. McAdam (Ed.), Climate change and displacement: Multidisciplinary perspectives (pp. 151–174). Portland: Hart Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piguet, E. (2008). Climate change and forced migration. New Issues in Refugee Research, Research Paper No. 153. Geneva: UNHCR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renaud, F., Bogardi, J., Dun, O., & Warner, K. (2007). Control, adapt or flee: How to face environmental migration? InterSecTions (Vol. 5). Bonn: United Nations University—Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS).

    Google Scholar 

  • Renaud, F. G., Dun, O., Warner, K., & Bogardi, J. J. (2011). A decision framework for environmentally induced migration. International Migration, 49(S1), 5–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J. T., & Parks, B. C. (2006). A climate of injustice: Global inequality, north-south politics and climate policy. Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, P. (2000). Environmental refugees: the origins of a construct. In P. Scott & S. Sullivan (Eds.), Political ecology (pp. 218–246). London: Arnold.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schade, J. (2012). Les migrants des politiques climatiques: Nouveaux défis face aux déplacements générés par le changement climatique. Cultures et Conflits, 88(4),85-110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schade, J. (2011). Human rights, climate change, and climate policies in Kenya: How climate variability and agrofuel expansion impact on the enjoyment of human rights in the Tana Delta. Research mission report of a joint effort by the Center on Migration, Citizenship and Development, FIAN Germany, Kenya Youth Foundation, and the Center on Minority Rights Development. Bielefeld: Bielefeld University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schade, J. & Faist, T. (2010). Concept note. Conference on ‘Environmental Change and Migration: From Vulnerabilities to Capabilities’, Bielefeld, 5–9 December 2010. Retrieved from http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/tdrc/ag_comcad/downloads/envimig2010_confnote.pdf.

  • Schade, J. & Faist, T. (2011). Conference report. Conference on ‘Environmental Change and Migration: From Vulnerabilities to Capabilities’, Bielefeld, Germany, 5–9 December 2010. Retrieved from http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/tdrc/ag_comcad/downloads/envimig_esf_conference-report.pdf.

  • Schmidt-Verkerk, K. (2009). The potential influence of changing precipitation and temperature patterns on migratory behaviour in the State of Zacatecas, Mexico. In A. Oliver-Smith & X. Shen (Eds.), Linking environmental change, migration and social vulnerability. (pp. 55–59), Publication Series No. 12. Bonn: United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) .

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (1981). Poverty and famines: An essay on entitlement and deprivation. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (1992). Inequality re-examined. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. K. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spittler, G. (1987). Nomaden, Dürren und Entwicklungshilfe. In C. Antweiler, T. Bargatzky, & F. Bliss (Eds.), Ethnologische Beiträge zur Entwicklungspolitik (pp. 109–127). Beiträge zur Kulturkunde 7. Bonn: Politischer Arbeitskreis Schulen e.V.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stal, M. (2009). Mozambique case study report. EACH-FOR delivery. Retrieved from http://www.each-for.eu/documents/CSR_Mozambique_090217.pdf.

  • Stark, O. (1991). The migration of labor. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stark, O., & Levhari, D. (1982). On migration and risk in LDCs. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 31(1), 191–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, N. H. (2007). The economics of climate change: The Stern review. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suhrke, A. (1993). Pressure points: Environmental degradation, migration, and conflict. Occasional Paper Series No. 3. Project on environmental change and acute conflict. Toronto: University of Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNFCCC. (2011). The Cancun agreements: Outcome of the work of the ad hoc working group on long-term cooperative action under the convention. Decision 1/CP.16, Report of the Conference of the Parties on its sixteenth session, held in Cancun from 29 November to 10 December 2010, Addendum, FCCC/CP/2010/7/Add.1.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNGA. (2009a). Climate change and its possible security implications. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly, 63/281;

    Google Scholar 

  • UNGA. (2009b). Climate change and its possible security implications. Report of the Secretary General, A/64/350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Union of Concerned Scientists. (2010). Certainty vs. uncertainty: Understanding scientific terms about climate change. Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/certainty-vs-uncertainty.html.

  • UNSC. (2007). Security Council holds first-ever debate on impact of climate change on peace, security. Security Council 5663rd Meeting, SC/9000. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sc9000.doc.htm/.

  • Vieth, U. (2012). Klima konkret: Von Kyoto nach Greindelwald [Television broadcast]. Arte TV. Retrieved from http://www.arte.tv/de/Programm/244,broadcastingNum=1351673,day=7,week=29,year=2012.html.

  • Wallerstein, I. (1974). The modern world-system. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wissenschaftlicher Beirat der Bundesregierung Globale Umweltveränderungen (WBGU). (2007). World in transition: Climate change as a security risk. Flagship report. Berlin: WBGU.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yenotani, M. (2011). Displacement due to natural hazard-induced disasters: Global estimates for 2009 and 2010. Oslo: Norwegian Refugee Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zetter, R. (2010). Protecting people displaced by climate change: Some conceptual challenges. In J. McAdam (Ed.), Climate change and displacement. Multidisciplinary perspectives (pp. 131–150). Portland: Hart Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Q. (2009). Inner Mongolia case study report. EACH-FOR delivery. Retrieved from http://www.each-for.eu/documents/CSR_Inner_Mongolia_090331.pdf.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany

    Thomas Faist & Jeanette Schade

Authors
  1. Thomas Faist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jeanette Schade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeanette Schade .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center on Migration, Citizenship and Development (COMCAD), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, Bielefeld, 33615, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Thomas Faist

  2. , Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, Bielefeld, 33615, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Jeanette Schade

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Faist, T., Schade, J. (2013). The Climate–Migration Nexus: A Reorientation. In: Faist, T., Schade, J. (eds) Disentangling Migration and Climate Change. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6208-4_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation