A Qualitative Study on How Perceptions of Environmental Changes are Linked to Migration in Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo

Environmental migration is a growing concern of academics and policymakers, who foresee a rise in the number of such migrants. However, most prevailing academic and policy discourses ignore the variety of perceptions of environmental changes among people living in highly affected areas across the world. We examine the perceptions of environmental changes and how these are seen to be relevant to migration in Senegal, DR Congo, and Morocco. In total, we conducted 410 interviews with people living in two regions in each of these countries. Results indicate differences in the perception of environmental changes across regions, gender, education, and livelihoods. The economic activities of individuals determine exposure and sensitivity to environmental changes, while educational levels increase familiarity with prevailing environmental discourses and policies. Despite country-specific and regional differences across research sites, few people perceived environmental factors as directly related to their own or family members’ migration projects.

How Does an Environmental Amenity Attract Voluntary Migrants? Evidence from Ambient Air Quality in China

Recent studies have shown that air quality is an important amenity for population relocation in China. However, much of Chinese internal migration occurs due to non-discretionary reasons, such as government policies, family considerations, and military personnel reassignments. As such, estimates of the impact of environmental amenities on migration that do not control for migration reasons may be biased. Using the 2015 China Migrants Dynamic Survey, this paper estimates the impact of ambient air pollution on voluntary migration to other provinces for work. We find that more polluted days (air quality index (AQI) >150) at the original residence leads to a significant increase in labor out-migration to a province with better air quality, providing evidence of the current migration trend leading to declining populations in China’s megacities. Our findings indicate that environmental migration is more favored among households that are less educated, are older, work overtime, and have lower income, suggesting that environmental migration may result from environmental health inequalities in socially disadvantaged families.

Planning for change: addressing environmental migration as a planning issue in the Greater Toronto Area

This paper aims to provide a background on a future climate change induced refugee crisis and the potential planning responses that may be warranted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A review of academic literature and policy documents indicate that such a climate change refugee crisis is within the realm of possibility. As a result, under current federal refugee policy, Canada will likely see an increase in episodes of refugee resettlement. For municipalities within the GTA, one of the most ethnically diverse regions in North America, it is recommended that planners and planning regimes incorporate multicultural planning practices to address and anticipate the needs of these future newcomers

Planning for change: addressing environmental migration as a planning issue in the Greater Toronto Area

This paper aims to provide a background on a future climate change induced refugee crisis and the potential planning responses that may be warranted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A review of academic literature and policy documents indicate that such a climate change refugee crisis is within the realm of possibility. As a result, under current federal refugee policy, Canada will likely see an increase in episodes of refugee resettlement. For municipalities within the GTA, one of the most ethnically diverse regions in North America, it is recommended that planners and planning regimes incorporate multicultural planning practices to address and anticipate the needs of these future newcomers

National Adaptation Plans: A Response to Climate-Induced Migration?

This Major Research Paper examines the National Adaptation Plans of the Republic of the Maldives and Germany to determine if and how climate-induced migration is addressed. The paper examines how the receiving-migrant countries, and producing-migrant countries look at the forecasted issue from two different perspectives: securitization, and resiliency. In addition, this paper acknowledges that ad hoc temporary migration pathways have had success when dealing with environmental migration and determines that a formal change to the Convention Refugee definition is not necessary to address climate-induced migration. Key words: Climate Change; Climate-induced Migration; Refugees; National Adaptation Plans

National Adaptation Plans: A Response to Climate-Induced Migration?

This Major Research Paper examines the National Adaptation Plans of the Republic of the Maldives and Germany to determine if and how climate-induced migration is addressed. The paper examines how the receiving-migrant countries, and producing-migrant countries look at the forecasted issue from two different perspectives: securitization, and resiliency. In addition, this paper acknowledges that ad hoc temporary migration pathways have had success when dealing with environmental migration and determines that a formal change to the Convention Refugee definition is not necessary to address climate-induced migration. Key words: Climate Change; Climate-induced Migration; Refugees; National Adaptation Plans

A culture of reaction : Canadian refugee policy in an era of environmental migration

In 2010, forty-two million people worldwide were displaced from their homes due to environmental causes. These environmental migrants lack international recognition and have no recourse to the protections of the international refugee regime. This paper examines contradictions inherent in the environmental migration concept, and argues that state-level migration policies related to issues of environmental displacement are reactive and ad hoc in nature. Examining Canadian and US migration policies, this paper demonstrates that national governments have developed a "wait and see" approach towards environmental displacement. With a long history of responding to incidences of displacement, Canada is an important country in terms of its refugee resettlement policies. Accordingly, a review of Canadian refugee policy will provide insights relating to the policy response of western countries to future incidences of environmental displacement.

A culture of reaction : Canadian refugee policy in an era of environmental migration

In 2010, forty-two million people worldwide were displaced from their homes due to environmental causes. These environmental migrants lack international recognition and have no recourse to the protections of the international refugee regime. This paper examines contradictions inherent in the environmental migration concept, and argues that state-level migration policies related to issues of environmental displacement are reactive and ad hoc in nature. Examining Canadian and US migration policies, this paper demonstrates that national governments have developed a "wait and see" approach towards environmental displacement. With a long history of responding to incidences of displacement, Canada is an important country in terms of its refugee resettlement policies. Accordingly, a review of Canadian refugee policy will provide insights relating to the policy response of western countries to future incidences of environmental displacement.