Climate change migrant: Refugees victimized by environmental disasters

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• December 13, 2021

Insight summary

Climate change is driving an increasing number of people to leave their homes due to extreme weather events, creating a complex global issue of environmental migration. This displacement disrupts lives and strains local resources but also presents opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange. To address these challenges, comprehensive policies, international cooperation, and sustainable practices are needed.

Climate change migrant context 

Climate change refugees or environmental migrants leave their homes due to unfavorable climate conditions. Natural disasters like floods or earthquakes may displace some people, but progressive decline in climate (e.g., extreme heat or cold) also causes migration. In 2020, extreme weather events displaced 30 million people worldwide, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center. 

Climate change has led to an increasing number of extreme weather events in 2020 and 2021. Such events can worsen the economies of developing countries, generate political instability, and disrupt the availability of food, water, and other essential resources, ultimately forcing people to migrate domestically or internationally in search of a better or safer life. Unfortunately, many other factors also influence a person’s decision to migrate to another region or country.

This complexity makes recognizing groups of people as “environmental migrants” tricky for government bodies around the world. Unfortunately, that complexity means a lack of legislation supporting people who are affected by climate change. Only a few international agreements, such as the Global Compact for Refugees, mention environmental stress as a factor for migration.

Disruptive impact 

The need to relocate due to environmental changes may disrupt lives, leading to loss of homes, jobs, and community ties. This displacement can result in psychological stress and trauma, which can have lasting effects on mental health. Moreover, the influx of climate migrants into new areas can strain local resources and infrastructure, potentially leading to conflicts over access to basic necessities like water, food, and housing.

Businesses in areas experiencing an influx of migrants may see an increase in demand for goods and services, providing an opportunity for growth. However, they may also face challenges in terms of workforce stability, as climate change could disrupt supply chains and labor markets. Companies may need to adapt their strategies to manage these changes, perhaps by investing in sustainable practices that mitigate climate change impacts or by developing products and services that cater to the needs of climate migrants.

Governments may need to develop comprehensive policies that address the needs of climate migrants, such as affordable housing, job training, and mental health services. In addition, governments will need to foster international cooperation to share the responsibility of supporting climate migrants. This cooperation could involve creating agreements for the equitable distribution of resources and the establishment of safe migration routes. Furthermore, governments can work towards preventing further climate change migration by investing in climate resilience measures in vulnerable areas, such as improved infrastructure and sustainable land management practices.

Implications of climate change refugees 

Wider implications of an increase in climate change migration may include:

• More countries investing ever more aid money into current and future global NGOs to support climate migrant camps and relocation programs.
• Countries implementing domestic mandates upon select states or provinces to invest in climate change mitigating infrastructure and limit population growth in certain high-risk areas, e.g., low-lying coastal areas, and wildfire or flood-prone regions.
• Increasing geopolitical tensions between nations, especially between nations people are migrating out of and nations they are migrating towards. 
• More countries with populist leadership building militarized border walls and fences to control migrant flows.
• A need for innovative urban planning strategies that prioritize sustainable development and efficient use of resources.
• A rich cultural exchange fostering a more diverse and inclusive society, but also potentially leading to social tensions if not managed effectively.
• New tools and platforms that facilitate resource distribution, communication, and integration efforts.
• The recovery and regeneration of some areas as people leave but also the degradation of environments in areas receiving large numbers of migrants if not managed sustainably.

Questions to consider

• Should climate change migrants be awarded the same status as conflict-driven migrants? 
• Do you think a collective effort can reverse climate change in time to prevent more people from becoming climate migrants?