Migration, Climate Change and the Environment
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Transcript of Migration, Climate Change and the Environment
Migration, Climate Change and the Environment
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Angela SantucciAngela SantucciProject Officer Project Officer
International Organization for Migration (IOM)International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Cairo, 20 – 21 September 2010
Potential Effects of Climate ChangePotential Effects of Climate Change
“The gravest effects of climate change may be those on human migration.”
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 1990
• Where do we stand now?– 20 million displaced by climate related natural disasters in 2008
• What about the future?– Most widely cited figure: 200 million environmental migrants by
2050
Links Between Environment and MigrationLinks Between Environment and Migration
• Both natural disasters and environmental degradation can induce migration
• Climate change is likely to exacerbate these events and processes
• Migration can affect the environment in places of destination & origin and along transit routes
• Economic, social and developmental factors complicate the interactions between migration and the environment
• Environmental migration is a multi-causal phenomenon
Migration as AdaptationMigration as Adaptation
• Migration can strengthen livelihoods through income diversification via remittances, the transfer of knowledge and skills and/or relocation
Migration is one possible adaptation strategy
Case Study: EgyptCase Study: Egypt
• Expected climate change impacts:– Sea-level rise– Water scarcity– Desertification
• Expected impacts on human mobility:– International mobility– Internal mobility (rural to urban)
North Coast and Nile DeltaNorth Coast and Nile Delta
• 60% of Egypt’s agriculture• Four million people• Vulnerable to sea rise and salination • Sediment starvation • Internal and international migration
Egypt: Land at Risk from Sea-level RiseEgypt: Land at Risk from Sea-level Rise
Egypt: Migration by GovernorateEgypt: Migration by Governorate
International Migration Aspirations among Egyptian Youth 15-29, by GovernorateInternational Migration Aspirations among Egyptian Youth 15-29, by Governorate
Egypt: Migration by GovernorateEgypt: Migration by Governorate
Internal Migration Experience among Egyptian Youth 18-29, by Destination GovernorateInternal Migration Experience among Egyptian Youth 18-29, by Destination Governorate
Pilot Project: Assessment and Strategy Development to Pilot Project: Assessment and Strategy Development to Respond to Sea-Level Rise and Human MobilityRespond to Sea-Level Rise and Human Mobility
• To better understand actual and potential impacts and consequences of sea-level rise on human mobility
– Creation of a technical working group of key stakeholders and inception workshop
– Rapid assessments conducted • To design and test practical pilot initiatives to help respond to sea-level rise
induced mobility– Pilot initiatives developed and implemented – Assessment of pilot initiatives to evaluate success
• To enhance awareness among key stakeholders of the inter-linkages between sea-level rise and human mobility
– Workshop for key stakeholders to disseminate findings and develop recommendations and follow up actions
– Final report based on assessment findings and implemented activities, including lessons learned and recommendations
Donor: IOM’s 1035 Funding Facility
The Way Forwards: IOM’s VisionThe Way Forwards: IOM’s Vision
• First - minimize forced migration and ensure protection and assistance where displacement is inevitable;
• Second - facilitate the role of migration as an adaptation strategy to climate change and seek to strengthen the developmental benefits of such migration for areas of origin;
• Third - plan for relocation in areas that are expected to become uninhabitable to avoid a crisis situation and ensure sustainability;
• Fourth - bolster humanitarian action with adequate resources to meet the growing challenge of climate change;
• Fifth - mainstream environmental and climate change considerations into migration management policies and practice, and vice versa.
Thank youThank you