SECTION I: The Problem
Climate change and its impact on human migration is one of the debated challenges in modern times. Extreme weather events such as rising sea levels and desertification threaten livelihood and the entire ecosystems. These events also trigger displacements and migration across borders. The impact of this problem is immense. According to Peri and Sasahara (2019), there will be approximately 216 million climate migrants by 2050. These statistics highlight the urgency of understanding adaptive strategies employed by communities and the cross-border impacts of climate-induced migration. There are various stakeholders to this concern, including vulnerable communities facing displacement and policymakers exploring migration flows (Cattaneo et al., 2019). International organizations facilitating adaptation and response and countries receiving migrants also take part in formulating strategic solutions to this problem. The issue unfolds on a global scale. However, some specific areas, such as island nations and low-lying coastal regions, face harsher conditions. The timeframe encompasses current trends and projections for the coming decades. It focuses on both ongoing responses and future preparedness.
A primary topic of discussion revolves around the effectiveness and limitations of adaptive strategies. Critics posit that adaptation cannot entirely prevent displacement, while proponents emphasize its role in promoting community resilience and reducing migration pressure (Scott et al., 2020). This research will focus on this debate with a keen evaluation of different adaptive strategies such as infrastructure development, early warning systems, and livelihood diversification. It will also assess the success of these strategies in different contexts. Another controversy in this case involves the management of cross-border migration. While specific groups of interest argue that mass migration destabilizes receiving countries, others advocate for humanitarian responses and international cooperation (Prokkola et al., 2021). This research will evaluate diverse approaches to managing climate-induced migration. It will explore the social, economic, and political implications of these migrations for both sending and receiving regions.
SECTION II: Research Question, Sub-Questions, and Hypothesis
Main Research Question
How do the effectiveness and limitations of different adaptive strategies employed by communities facing climate change impact migration patterns and cross-border dynamics?
Sub-Questions
What specific factors influence the choice of adaptive strategies by different communities?
How do adaptive strategies interact with broader socio-economic and political contexts to shape migration outcomes?
What are the challenges and opportunities for managing cross-border migration flows arising from climate change?
Tentative Hypothesis
Adaptive strategies can mitigate displacements in some contexts. However, their effectiveness depends on local factors, global cooperation, and access to resources. Uncontrolled cross-border migration can pose challenges. These migrations also present opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing between affected regions.
SECTION III: Research Approach
In this research, I will employ a mixed-method approach. A mixed-method approach involves the combination of quantitative analysis of migration data with qualitative case studies of specific communities to implement adaptive strategies. First, I will obtain quantitative data from databases like the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center and the World Bank. The data to be obtained must focus on migration trends in selected regions experiencing impacts of climate change. Case studies will be conducted in two contrasting locations facing different climate challenges and employing different adaptive strategies. Second, I will conduct semi-structured interviews with community members and local authorities. These interviews will provide insights into the lived experiences and perspectives on migration and adaptation.
Two case studies of interest are Louisiana Coastal Zone and Puerto Rico. Louisiana Coastal Zone faces severe land loss due to rising sea levels and erosion. Migration has been used by many displaced communities as a way of dealing with these events while also escaping food insecurity in extreme weather-prone areas (Warner & Afifi, 2014). These events cause displacement and prompt internal migration. The region has implemented various adaptive strategies such as coastal restoration, levee constructions, and community relocation. Puerto Rico is an island territory experiencing devastating hurricanes associated with climate change. The hurricanes cause migration and significant displacement to the US mainland. Finally, I will include theoretical frameworks, drawing on human ecology and environmental governance, to analyze the relationship between environmental change and human movements.
SECTION IV: Reference List
Cattaneo, C., Beine, M., Fröhlich, C. J., Kniveton, D., Martinez-Zarzoso, I., Mastrorillo, M., … & Schraven, B. (2019). Human migration in the era of climate change. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1093/reep/rez008
Peri, G., & Sasahara, A. (2019). The impact of global warming on rural-Urban migrations: Evidence from global big data (No. w25728). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w25728
Prokkola, E. K., Niemi, S., Lépy, É., Palander, J., Kulusjärvi, O., & Lujala, P. (2021). Climate migration: Towards a better understanding and management: Finland and a Global Perspective.http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-213-8
Scott, M., Lennon, M., Tubridy, F., Marchman, P., Siders, A. R., Main, K. L., … & Johnson, C. (2020). Climate disruption and planning: resistance or retreat?. Planning Theory & Practice, 21(1), 125-154. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649357.2020.1704130
Warner, K., & Afifi, T. (2014). Where the rain falls: Evidence from 8 countries on how vulnerable households use migration to manage the risk of rainfall variability and food insecurity. Climate and Development, 6(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2013.835707
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