Climate Change and Migration: Developing a Future Research Agenda: September 2011

This topic continues to hit the news, with limited critical analysis:

http://multiamerican.scpr.org/2011/09/will-climate-change-affect-migration/

http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/climate-change-likely-influenced-mexican-migration-north/10147/

Compare these articles to UNISDR's more cautious and realistic approach to the topic:

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/news/v.php?id=21936

About the study

There is huge gap in literature with respect to conceptualizing and contextualizing the relationship between climate change and migration. The first aspect refers to the knowledge gaps and the need to understand and detail out conceptual issues associated with climate and migration such as terminology/definitions, linkages, drivers, thresholds, implications, data requirements, methodological challenges and other complexities associated.

The second aspect contextualizing refers to, understanding climate change and migration debate not in isolation but holistically. It refers to the nexus of migration, climate change, environment, social development, along with governance and policy perspectives at different scales ranging from international to local.

Addressing these, would give the much needed impetus to address the challenges associated with this issue.

The overriding focus of this study is to frame a a future research agenda on climate change and migration, by highlighting the gaps in current knowledge, outlining the conceptual issues and bringing forth the associated policy challenges.

The project will report on the following by the end of 2011. For more information please contact:

Himani Upadhyay

Research Associate

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI),
India Habitat Centre,
New Delhi, 110 003

Himani.Upadhyay@teri.res.in

+91-11-24682100

Ilan Kelman

Senior Research Fellow

CICERO, Pb. 1129 Blindern
N-0318, Oslo, Norway

ilan.kelman@cicero.uio.no

+47 22 85 85 66

Climate Change and Migration: Developing a Future Research Agenda

Friday, September 9, 2011

Continuing to hit the news