Climate change refugees
Migrations due to climate change result from a rise in sea level, desertification, ocean acidification, and flooding, which destroy livelihood sources producing climate refugees. Some displacements turn out to be permanent since many people find it difficult to return to their formal settlements or move on. Globally, billions of people live in countries that are grievously impacted by climate changes (). These changes are both synchronous and ubiquitous and stir seemingly resilient and stable communities and even worsen conditions that escalate the likelihood of conflicts, state failures, and consequently flight. Climate migrations can cause detrimental impacts on communities and state; however, if effectively managed with appropriate coping mechanisms, migrations with dignity can reinstate hope for communities and individuals and promote development in affected countries. This paper explores various impacts of climate change migrations on communities and states and the responsibilities of developed countries to climate change refugees and the management of impacts of migration.
Commentators refer to “Climate Change Refugees” to express the tenacity in the issue, which urge developing countries to provide protection similar to political refugees despite minimum precedent efforts. Presently, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has charged for providing for refugees principally; however, their outstretched efforts are inadequate to cope with refugees’ current state. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), environmental migrants involve individuals who, under progressive environment changes, casing detrimental impacts on their lives or living conditions. They are compelled to depart their permanent homes to move to either permanently or temporarily abroad or within their counties ().
The Global community through the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA), Vienna Program of Action for LLDCs, and Istanbul Program of Action for LDCs, discern the vulnerability of countries impacted by climate change and its broad security, peace and development impacts. They provide a framework to address various dimensions of international migrations comprehensively and holistically. In many cases, climatic change impulse migration besides underdevelopment, natural hazards, population growth, weak governance, growing inequality, violence, and violence. In other cases, climate change explicitly causes migratory movements that permanently affect people, especially coastal erosion. Based on the World Bank report, approximately 143 million people in Latin America, South Asia, and sub-Saharan are compelled to relocate within their countries due to climate change, causing a shortage of water, reduced crop productivity, and sea-level rise.
Developed countries acknowledge the effects of environments, and climate changes on migrations. For instance, the Global Compact for Safe, orderly, and regular migrations recognized migrations resulting from environmental degradations, climate change, and disaster as substantial necessitating commitments to manage climate migrations and support states. According to research, the earth’s climate faces massive rate changes that surpass significant scientific forecasts (). Nonetheless, the United Nations assembly of 2018 recognized climatic changes and addressed growing concerns on natural disasters and environmental degradations as contributors to increasing refugee movements (). The effects of climate change are diverse. Meager natural resources like drinking water become scarcer while livestock and crops strain to survive under harsh environmental conditions, which endanger livelihood and aggravate food security.
Furthermore, with increasing consumption of resources, human activities, and high production of wastes, developing countries contribute to climate pollution, therefore responsible for climate refugees. For instance, in a case study of Bangladesh, inhibiting disaster reduction and management strategies exposed its socio-economic vulnerabilities. For example, Haiti’s 2016 hurricanes displaced 170,000 people, stimulating choler outbreaks and consequential levels of food insecurity (). Studies have indicated an average increase in global oceans and land temperatures, concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, and global emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from cement, combustion of fossil fuels, and flaring. Although mitigation policies have been established to manage climate changes, the adverse effects of climate change on vulnerable groups and local communities are widespread, calling for action from wealthier countries.
It is ironic that developing countries contributing to little greenhouse gas emissions are mostly impacted by climate change and are the burden of providing for climate change refugees. Numerically, the east and south Asia are incredibly vulnerable to large scale environmental migrations. It emerges from the rising sea level that irregularly impacts large populations settling in low lying areas. Meanwhile, China has 40% of its total population, 60% of its total wealth, and 70% of its large cities around the coastline. In Africa, the population along the coasts and around the Nile Delta are more susceptible to changing rainfall patterns that severely affect food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a report by IPCC, low rainfalls reduce crop yields by approximately 20%, promoting malnutrition.
Developed countries are responsible for the management of Migrations due to climate changes, which has induced complexities in gender with girls and women as vulnerable groups to the impacts of climate change through maternal health, education, and gender-based violence. In disasters from climate change, girls are likely to withdraw from school (). Estimates indicate that 17 million girls and women are involved in collecting water, which disrupts their education. Nonetheless, in health, 60% of preventable maternal deaths occur in displacements, conflict settings, and natural disasters that impact adolescent girls’ and women’s access to essential health care. Besides, climate change disasters promote gender and sexual-based violence. Developed countries express their responsibilities to climate change refugees by integrating practical gender perspectives into climate change agendas by involving girls and women in decision making.
Migrations impact developing countries due to climate change as it hinders the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Large scale and long term migrations inhibit progress in the provision of health and education services, such as the provision of universal primary education, combating malaria, HIV/AIDS and other ailments, and reducing maternal and child mortality. These migrations restrict development in various ways, including; escalating tension on urban infrastructure, undermining economic development, and promoting conflict risks that aggravate social, educational, and health indicators among refugees. Nonetheless, a high scarcity of food and water due to climate change accelerates rural-urban drifts in developing countries. Despite urban areas providing cash economy access, unplanned and rapid urbanization impacts public welfare and service provision. Studies show that approximately 1 billion people reside in slums characterized by poor sanitation, scarce water-limited education services, and poor quality water. High contact in dense populations enhances the spread of diseases while promoting inadequate education and health services. Reducing these impacts can be overseen by developed countries through several government programs and poverty easement initiatives to promote food security and improve health and education services.
In developing countries, climate change migrations derange production systems and impede domestic markets. Beside, deprivation of human capital through investment and labor force hinders economic growth as the brain drain effect leads to long term negative impacts on socio-economic stability (). Besides, forced migration causes ethnic conflicts and political instability in developing countries. Mass population displacements bring diverse groups into proximity with each other, which creates competition for resources. It is the responsibility of wealthier countries to take action plans to manage affected countries and individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on current climate change migrations, the international community and developed countries are responsible for the adaptation and development of policies that reduce the vulnerability of climate change refugees and relocating them marginal areas and supporting their livelihoods. Moreover, developed countries need to develop incentives in developing countries to promote skilled labor to maximize utilization of labor markets, improve health and education for migrant populations and enhance living standards in areas occupied by climate change refugees. This is facilitated by international climatic change adaptations, modulations on migrations, and supporting vulnerable populations due to climate change migrations.
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