Environmental Change, Migration, and Population Health

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia McMichael
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Forced Displacement ◽  
Environmental Disaster

Global environmental change amplifies and creates pressures that shape human migration. In the 21st century, there has been increasing focus on the complexities of migration and environmental change, including forecasts of the potential scale and pace of so-called environmental migration, identification of geographic sites of vulnerability, policy implications, and the intersections of environmental change with other drivers of human migration. Migration is increasingly viewed as an adaptive response to climatic and environmental change, particularly in terms of livelihood vulnerability and risk diversification. Yet the adaptive potential of migration will be defined in part by health outcomes for migrating populations. There has been limited examination, however, of the health consequences of migration related to environmental change. Migration related to environmental change includes diverse types of mobility, including internal migration to urban areas, cross-border migration, forced displacement following environmental disaster, and planned relocation—migration into sites of environmental vulnerability; much-debated links between environmental change, conflict, and migration; immobile or “trapped” populations; and displacement due to climate change mitigation and decarbonization action. Although health benefits of migration may accrue, such as increased access to health services or migration away from sites of physical risk, migration—particularly irregular (undocumented) migration and forced displacement—can amplify vulnerabilities and present risks to health and well-being. For diverse migratory pathways, there is the need to anticipate, respond to, and ameliorate population health burdens among migrants.

scholarly journals A multiple knowledge approach for adaptation to environmental change: lessons learned from coastal Louisiana's tribal communities

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Koppel Maldonado
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Political Ecology ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Forced Displacement ◽  
Tribal Communities ◽  
Coastal Louisiana

Environmental changes, such as sea level rise, are forcibly displacing communities around the world. Forced displacement, inadequate governance mechanisms to address relocation and economic-based adaptation and restoration efforts are leading to devastating social, cultural, health, and economic consequences for the people and communities affected. This article focuses on three tribal communities in coastal Louisiana that are experiencing rapid environmental change and risk of displacement due to historical discriminatory processes, oil and dam-related development projects, oil disasters, increased exposure to hurricanes, and relative sea level rise. Focusing on the political ecology of the communities' experiences of environmental change, including the impacts of displacement and decisions to stay in-place vs. relocate, this paper addresses broader issues of adaptive governance structures and policy implications. Building on Bronen's (2011) rights-based approach to adaptation and Shearer's (2012) approach to a political ecology of adaptation, I argue that governance structures should be put in place that support communities' in-situ adaptation efforts or, if the community decides its current location is no longer inhabitable, to assist community-led relocation efforts. Multiple forms of knowledge should be incorporated into and should inform the structures supporting the adaptation process. I highlight the social, political, environmental and economic context within which environmental changes are occurring in coastal Louisiana through discussion on the loss of the commons, the creation of an energy sacrifice zone, costbenefit based restoration efforts and forced displacement and relocation.Key words: Environmental change, displacement, relocation, adaptation

scholarly journals Evaluation of Household Food Waste Generation in Hanoi and Policy Implications towards SDGs Target 12.3

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6565
Author(s):  
Chen Liu ◽  
Trung Thang Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Waste Generation Rate

The issue of food waste, especially in developing economies, is a puzzle. Hanoi was selected as a case study to examine the current situation of food waste generated by consumers through daily habits/practices and to evaluate options for preventing and reducing food waste at the policy level through a literature/policy review and interview-style survey. An analysis of responses found that the self-reported food waste generation rate in Hanoi averaged 1192 g/day/household in urban areas and 1694 g/day/household in rural areas; cooking waste generated during meal processing/preparation accounts for more than 70% of the total; less than 20% of respondents separated out kitchen waste for reuse/recycling before disposal; expiration dates and deteriorating quality were cited as primary reasons for food waste at home in contrast with larger portions and over-ordering outside the home; leftover food is used indirectly as animal feed in urban areas and directly in rural areas; and most respondents indicate a willingness to reduce, reuse, and recycle food waste. To achieve SDG target 12.3, policymakers and practitioners must develop comprehensive food waste policies and actions targeting the entire supply chain, implement practical food waste management systems, and promote sufficiency strategies for saving food, reducing food waste, and maintaining health and well-being.

scholarly journals Rural Population Health and Aging: Toward a Multilevel and Multidimensional Research Agenda for the 2020s

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (9) ◽  
pp. 1328-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leif Jensen ◽  
Shannon M. Monnat ◽  
John J. Green ◽  
Lori M. Hunter ◽  
Martin J. Sliwinski
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
New Research ◽  
Rural Places

The unique health and aging challenges of rural populations often go unnoticed. In fact, the rural United States is home to disproportionate shares of older and sicker people, there are large and growing rural–urban and within-rural mortality disparities, many rural communities are in population decline, and rural racial/ethnic diversity is increasing. Yet rural communities are not monolithic, and although some rural places are characterized by declining health, others have seen large improvements in population health. We draw on these realities to call for new research in five areas. First, research is needed to better describe health disparities between rural and urban areas and, because rural places are not monolithic, across rural America. Second, research is needed on how trends in rural population health and aging are affecting rural communities. Third, research is needed on the ways in which economic well-being and livelihood strategies interact with rural health and aging. Fourth, we need to better understand the health implications of the physical and social isolation characterizing many rural communities. Finally, we argue for new research on the implications of local natural environments and climate change for rural population health and aging.

The Emergence of Enlightened Anthropocentrism in Ecological Restoration

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozef Keulartz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecological Design ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Global Environmental

Over the past decade a shift can be noticed from ecological restoration to ecological design, where ecological design stands for a technocratic approach that courts hubris and mastery rather than humility and self-restraint. Following Eric Higgs, this shift can be seen as a “hyperactive and heedless response“ to global environmental change, especially climate change. The new technocratic approach may be best characterized as enlightened (or prudential) anthropocentrism, where nature is only allowed that degree of agency which is required to deliver the services that are essential for human well-being. It is not only questionable if we have the scientific and technical abilities to purposeful design ecosystems that will serve our needs, but also if the new approach will be sufficient to protect biodiversity in the long run.

scholarly journals Migration, Environmental Change, and the ‘Challenges of Governance’

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 951-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Geddes ◽  
W Neil Adger ◽  
Nigel W Arnell ◽  
Richard Black ◽  
David S G Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Household Resources ◽  
Different Levels

This paper provides a framework for the theme issue by exploring links between environmental change and human migration. We review evidence that demonstrates that millions of people have moved or are likely to move towards and not away from environmental risk and hazard by moving from rural areas to rapidly growing urban areas. Moreover, some people may choose not to move or be unable to move. Environmental change may further erode household resources in such a way that migration becomes less and not more likely, even in the context of quite significant environmental change posing serious threats to the sustainability of livelihoods. This creates the possibility that populations will be trapped in areas that expose them to serious risk. We argue that the links between environmental change, migration, and governance are of significant importance, and directly influence the modes and efficacy of migration governance at different levels.

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