"Climate Change and Displacement: Anticipating Inhospitable Environments & Resource Conflicts with changing environments"
Former vice president of the United States of America and environmental activist Al Gore once said, “The climate crisis is not a political issue. It is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity.” Climate change is a reality now and has become a pressing global issue with far-reaching impacts. The phenomenon most significantly hurts people with the least responsibility for climate change. It has resulted in extreme weather conditions like prolonged summer seasons, high temperatures, excessive rains and precipitations, increased floods, cyclones, changes in monsoon patterns, and displacement of people. Climate change is making certain regions inhospitable and exacerbating resource conflicts. The following article will examine climate change-induced migrations. By examining climate change and migrations and discussing mitigation and adaptation strategies, we can comprehend the challenges posed by climate change and the actions needed to address this complex issue.
Climate Change and Displacements
Climate change is a significant driver of migrations worldwide. Climate change induces extreme weather patterns increase the frequency of natural disasters, and disrupts ecosystems.Therefore, it makes certain geographical areas inhospitable and renders them so challenging to live in. Reports by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) confirm this. According to a report by IDMC, in 2018 alone, around 17.2 million people were internally displaced because of climate change, natural disasters, and extreme weather events. In 2020 this number jumped to 20.7 million. There are a few examples that illustrate how climate change induces displacements.
Rising Sea Levels
There is a global rise in temperature because of global warming and climate change. As the
temperature increases, polar ice caps and glaciers are melting more rapidly, causing sea level rise. This rise in sea levels poses a significant threat to low-lying islands and coastal
communities. For instance, the Pacific Islands nation of Tuvalu lands is now submerged because of rising sea levels.
Extreme Weather Events
Climate change will likely induce extreme weather events like floods, cyclones, typhoons, and hurricanes. These extreme events cause loss of precious lives, infrastructure, and displacements of communities. For instance, floods in Pakistan in 2010 caused the loss of 1600 lives, and Hurricane Katrina displaced hundreds of thousands of people in the Gulf Coast region of the USA.
Water Scarcity
Glaciers serve as a vital water resource. However, they are melting faster due to the rise in global temperature. As glaciers are melting faster, water is becoming scarce for regions dependent upon glacial meltwater. For example, the Hindu Kush Himalaya glaciers that supply water to nearly two billion people are suffering from great water retreats. A recently published report by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics placed Pakistan at 10 th rank among 14 countries. These 14 countries are considered high-risk countries because of water scarcity.
Climate Migrants and their Challenges
Climate migrants are those environmental migrants who are forced to leave their habitats due to the adverse impacts of climate change. It must be noted that these individuals are not regarded as refugees under the legal framework provided by the United Nations as they are not fleeing persecution or conflict. They face unique challenges and vulnerabilities, and some of them are as follows:
Loss of Livelihood
Climate change poses severe threats to agricultural countries as they disrupt agricultural practices and diminish access to water resources. For instance, in the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh and India, rising sea levels and increased salinity have led to soil erosion and loss of arable land, forcing communities to migrate for alternative sustenance.
Lack of Legal Protection
As the United Nations discourages the term climate refugees, no such term has been recognized under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. Consequently, there is ambiguity about the legal protection offered to climate migrants, and they are left with limited legal avenues to seek shelter and assistance.
Social and Cultural Disruptions
As climate migrants are forced to leave their native habitats and settle in new locations, they face social and cultural disruptions. This, in turn, leads to the loss of cultural heritage, social
cohesion, and traditional practices. In Alaska, indigenous communities like the Inupiat face
relocation due to coastal erosion caused by climate change, resulting in the potential loss of their cultural identity tied to the land and subsistence practices.
Case Study of Cameroon
Deforestation and Displacement in Cameroon
Deforestation in Cameroon significantly illustrates the fact that climate change is making certain areas inhospitable for humans. Deforestation and its resultant climate change are leading to adverse environmental changes and loss of biodiversity in Cameroon. The country has faced substantial forest loss, disappearing at 0.5% annually. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Cameroon has lost 3.1 million hectares of forests in twenty years, i.e., between 2000 and 2020. Resultantly, the country has faced the following consequences:
Forests provide critical ecosystem services, such as regulating water cycles, mitigatingclimate change, and preserving biodiversity. Deforestation in Cameroon has disrupted these services, reducing water availability, increasing soil erosion, and decreasing habitat for plant and animal species.
Indigenous communities in Cameroon heavily rely on forests for their livelihoods,cultural practices, and subsistence activities such as hunting and gathering. Deforestation has disrupted these traditional practices, leading to the displacement of indigenous populations who have a deep connection to their land.
Deforestation negatively impacts the economy. The loss of forest resources has affected the timber, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Displacement resulting from deforestation has put additional strains on local communities, as they face challenges in finding alternative sources of income and may experience social and economic marginalization.
Climate Change, Resource Scarcity, and Increased Conflicts
Climate change is a leading cause of the scarcity of natural resources, leading to conflicts within and between states. Particular glaring examples of this phenomenon are as follows:
Conflict over the Jordan River involving Palestine, Jordan, and Israel is a prominent example. Competition over depleting water resources contributes to complex political relations among these states.
The Niger Delta in Nigeria has experienced prolonged conflict related to oil extraction. The region is rich in oil reserves, but local communities have suffered from environmental degradation, loss of livelihoods, and social tensions. Competing interests over control and access to oil resources have fueled violence and civil unrest, with implications for displacement and social instability.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has experienced conflicts fueled by competition over valuable minerals, such as coltan, tin, and gold. These minerals are essential components in electronic devices, leading to high demand globally. Militant groups and armed factions have exploited mineral resources, resulting in violence, displacement, and human rights abuses in the DRC.
Thus, climate change is leading to resource scarcity which, in turn, is causing conflicts. Conflicts exacerbate climate conditions. Therefore, climate change has plunged states into a vicious cycle of conflicts.
Efforts by the UK to Combat Climate-induced Migrations
The UK government and various small organizations have taken measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, climate-induced migrations, and this aspect of the refugee crisis. Here are a few notable examples:
1. The UK Climate Change and Migration Coalition
The UK Climate Change and Migration Coalition is a network of organizations, academics, and individuals working to ensure that people affected by climate change have their rights protected. The coalition advocates for policies that address the impacts of climate change on migration and displacement and it raises awareness about the issue through research, campaigns, and policy advocacy.
2. Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
CDKN is a UK-based organization that supports developing countries in effectively responding to climate change. Their work includes supporting vulnerable communities affected by climate change, enhancing resilience, and providing policy guidance on climate-induced displacement and migration.
3. The UK Aid and International Development Efforts
Through its foreign aid and international development programs, the UK government provides funding and support to address the impacts of climate change on displacement. This includes supporting resilience-building initiatives in vulnerable communities, funding adaptation projects, and providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by climate-related disasters and displacement.
Way Forward
Obama said, “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last
generation that can do something about it.” The protection of our environment is a shared
responsibility because it is a shared asset, and we can protect our environment by taking the
following measures:
Addressing root causes of climate change
Mobilizing resources
Promoting international cooperation
Raising awareness about environmental protection
Sharing knowledge of the best practices and technical advancements
Empowering Hope
In a nutshell, one thing remains evident in the face of climate change and its impact on
displacement: international cooperation is the key to unlocking solutions and forging a more
sustainable future. By joining hands, sharing knowledge, and pooling resources, countries can confront the challenges posed by climate-induced displacement with greater resilience and efficacy. Through collaboration, we can address the root causes, empower vulnerable
communities, and mobilize the necessary resources to mitigate the impacts of climate change and support those who are forcibly displaced. The time for global solidarity is now, as we strive for a future where no one is left behind in the battle against climate change and where the rights and dignity of every individual are upheld. Let us embark on a collective journey towards a more sustainable and inclusive world together.
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