Skip to main content
Log in

Environmental migration and sustainable development

A case study of southwest China

  • Published:
Chinese Geographical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper focuses on migration occurrence as a result of environmental degradation and population growth. It briefly reviews previous practices in some less developed courtries and then considers the extent to which environmental factors have been and may be significant in initiating migration. A case study of the karst region of southwest China is used to illustrate the phenomenon, including root causes, restrictive factors, nature of the migration, desires of migrants, strategies of response and optional policies. It is argued that a comprehensive approach to the prevention of environmentally caused displacement should be developed.

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

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Hugo Graeme, 1996. Environmental concerns and international migration. International Migration Review, 30(1): 105–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan Wencan, 1995. Study on the strategy of Chinese elimination of poverty. China Population, Resource and Environment, 5(3): 27–30. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Southgate D, Sanders J., 1990. Resource degradation in Africa and Latin America: population pressure, politics and property arrangement. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 72(5): 1259–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suhrke Astri, 1994. Environmental degradation and population flows. Journal of International Affairs, 47(2): 474–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Kelin, 1996. The characteristics of vulnerable environment and sustainable development in karst slope zone of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Territory and Natural Resources Study, 18(4): 47–52. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Jing, 1996. Environmental migration. Environmental Science, 17(3): 81–6. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Mingcha, 1995. Vulnerable ecological environment and poverty. In: Environment Integrated Management and Recovery Technology, Zhao Guijiu & Liu Yanhua (eds). Beijing: Science and Technology Press. 118–34. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wang, K. Environmental migration and sustainable development. Chin. Geograph.Sc. 8, 271–280 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-997-0021-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-997-0021-1

Key words

Navigation