Search Results (94)

By 2050, it is estimated that approximately 200 million people will be displaced due to the impacts of climate change. Vulnerability to climate change is shaped not only by environmental factors but fundamentally by systemic power relations and structural conditions present at both the places of origin and destination. In Latin America, climate-displaced persons predominantly settle in marginalised neighbourhoods, where widely accepted informality facilitates their rapid arrival but obstructs genuine progress and full integration as urban citizens. This paper critically examines the prevailing myths that justify the persistence of informality, revealing the socioeconomic challenges faced by climate migrants in the region. These four dominant myths are (1) Latin America’s inherently low productivity levels; (2) concessions by the ruling class enabling excluded groups to merely survive; (3) the perceived privilege of marginalised neighbourhoods to generate income outside formal legal frameworks, which supports their social capital; and (4) the limited benefits associated with formalisation. Debunking these myths is essential for developing effective public policies aimed at reducing informality and promoting inclusive urban integration, ultimately benefiting both climate migrants and host communities. Full article

Since the 1980s, earlier European springs have led to the earlier arrival of migrant passerines. We predict that arrival is related to a suite of climate indices operating during the annual cycle (breeding, autumn migration, wintering, spring migration) in Europe and Africa over the year preceding arrival. The climate variables include the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Furthermore, because migrants arrive sequentially from different wintering areas across Africa, we predict that relationships with climate variables operating in different parts of Africa will change within the season. We tested this using daily ringing data at Bukowo, a spring stopover site on the Baltic coast. We calculated an Annual Anomaly (AA) of spring passage (26 March–15 May, 1982–2024) for four long-distance migrants (Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff). We decomposed the anomaly in two ways: into three independent main periods and nine overlapping periods. We used multiple regression to explore the relationships of the arrival of these species at Bukowo. We found sequential effects of climate indices. Bukowo is thus at a crossroads of populations arriving from different wintering regions. The drivers of phenological shifts in passage of wide-ranging species are related to climate indices encountered during breeding, wintering, and migration. Full article

This paper investigates the cultural landscapes established by nineteenth-century German immigrants in South Australia and the southern Riverina of New South Wales, with particular attention to settlement patterns, architectural traditions and toponymic transformation. German immigration to Australia, though numerically modest compared to the Americas, significantly shaped local communities, especially due to religious cohesion among Lutheran migrants. These settlers established distinct, enduring rural enclaves characterized by linguistic, religious and architectural continuity. The paper examines three manifestations of these cultural landscapes. A rich toponymic landscape was created by imposing on natural landscape features and newly founded settlements the names of the communities from which the German settlers originated. It discusses the erosion of German toponyms under wartime nationalist pressures, the subsequent partial reinstatement and the implications for cultural memory. The study traces the second manifestation of a cultural landscapes in the form of nucleated villages such as Hahndorf, Bethanien and Lobethal, which often followed the Hufendorf or Straßendorf layout, integrating Silesian land-use principles into the Australian context. Intensification of land use through housing subdivisions in two communities as well as agricultural intensification through broad acre farming has led to the fragmentation (town) and obliteration (rural) of the uniquely German form of land use. The final focus is the material expression of cultural identity through architecture, particularly the use of traditional Fachwerk (half-timbered) construction and adaptations such as pug-and-pine walling suited to local materials and climate. The paper examines domestic forms, including the distinctive black kitchen, and highlights how environmental and functional adaptation reshaped German building traditions in the antipodes. Despite a conservation movement and despite considerable documentation research in the late twentieth century, the paper shows that most German rural structures remain unlisted and vulnerable. Heritage neglect, rural depopulation, economic rationalization, lack of commercial relevance and local government policy have accelerated the decline of many of these vernacular buildings. The study concludes by problematizing the sustainability of conserving German Australian rural heritage in the face of regulatory, economic and demographic pressures. With its layering of intangible (toponymic), structural (buildings) and land use (cadastral) features, the examination of the cultural landscape established by nineteenth-century German immigrants adds to the body of literature on immigrant communities, settler colonialism and landscape research. Full article

The population of southern fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus quoyi) was severely depleted by 19th and 20th century whaling. Its conservation status remains ‘vulnerable’, as recovery has been slow. Over 19 years of underwater acoustic recordings from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)’s hydrophones off Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia, were analyzed to monitor fin whales’ annual migration from their Southern Ocean feeding grounds (where they spend the austral summer) to their tropical breeding grounds (where they spend the austral winter) and back. Northward migrants arrived ~2 d/y earlier (2002–2020). The number of hours with fin whale acoustic presence increased by ~49 h/y and the number of days with fin whale acoustic presence by ~3 d/y. Thus, by the end of the 19-year recording period, fin whales were acoustically present on 74 more days than at the beginning of recording. While changes in habitat function, climate, and ambient noise may affect migratory behavior, the most likely explanation is a post-whaling increase in the number of animals of this Southern Hemisphere subspecies. Full article

Climate change represents a complex and multifaceted challenge for health systems, particularly in the African region, where the research has predominantly focused on physical health impacts while overlooking critical mental health dimensions. Our central hypothesis is that integrating culturally adapted mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into climate resilience frameworks and disaster response planning will significantly reduce psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, and trauma) and enhance adaptive capacities among both mainstream and migrant communities in disaster-prone African regions. This rapid review methodology systematically explores the intricate relationships between climate change, mental health, and migration by examining the existing literature and identifying significant information gaps. The key findings underscore the urgent need for targeted research and strategic interventions that specifically address mental health vulnerabilities in the context of climate change. This review highlights how extreme weather events, environmental disruptions, and forced migration create profound psychological stressors that extend beyond immediate physical health concerns. This research emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive adaptation strategies integrating mental health considerations into broader climate response frameworks. Recommendations emerging from this assessment call for immediate and focused attention on developing specialized research, policies, and interventions that recognize the unique mental health challenges posed by climate change in African contexts. We also note the current limitations in the existing national adaptation plans, which frequently overlook mental health dimensions, thereby underscoring the necessity of a more holistic and nuanced approach to understanding climate change’s psychological impacts. In this exploratory study, we intended to provide a crucial preliminary assessment of the complex intersections between climate change, mental health, and migration, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals seeking to develop more comprehensive and responsive strategies in an increasingly challenging environmental landscape. Full article

Climate-induced migration has emerged as a major concern in India and Bangladesh, due to their geographical vulnerability and socioeconomic conditions. Coastal areas, such as the Sundarbans and the Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta, face relentless threats due to rising sea levels, cyclones, and floods. These factors force millions to relocate, resulting in rural–urban transitions and cross-border movements that worsen urban challenges and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. For this, a systematic literature review of the Scopus database was undertaken using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A detailed review analysis of 65 papers was carried out. The study highlighted key climatic and non-climatic drivers of migration, including natural disasters, resource depletion, poverty, and poor governance. Despite existing adaptation strategies, such as early warning systems, micro-insurance, and climate-resilient practices, gaps remain in addressing long-term resilience and legal recognition for climate migrants. The research emphasizes the need for a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach, integrating adaptive infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods, and international cooperation. Recommendations include bridging research gaps, increasing community participation, and implementing global frameworks, like the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. Addressing climate migration through fair, inclusive measures is essential for building resilience and ensuring long-term development in the region. Full article

Chinese cities have made significant progress in fostering low-carbon societies and piloting a variety of low-carbon measures. Nonetheless, the effective implementation of these initiatives and the long-term upkeep of related amenities rely heavily on resident support. The existing studies provide limited insight into how local residents perceive and endorse different types of low-carbon measures, which often involve varying trade-offs. Addressing this gap, the present study surveyed the willingness to pay (WTP) of residents in Hangzhou—an early adopter of low-carbon practices in China—across five representative low-carbon measures. Survey data were collected from 13 distinct residential neighborhoods. The results indicate that Hangzhou residents are more inclined to financially support measures offering direct personal benefits compared to those benefiting the collective good, with this tendency being notably pronounced among highly educated individuals. Further findings include the following: (1) respondents aware of ongoing low-carbon measures were more willing to pay for them; (2) male respondents, recent migrants (within the past five years), high-income groups, and residents in aging communities tended to contribute higher amounts; (3) providing detailed information on carbon mitigation effects markedly increased both the likelihood and the magnitude of WTP; (4) the promotion of new energy vehicles (NEVs) remains contentious, particularly between NEV owners and gasoline vehicle owners. These findings highlight the need for targeted policies and educational programs to strengthen public awareness and support for low-carbon interventions, thereby advancing sustainability in fast-growing urban centers like Hangzhou. Overall, these findings provide key insights for the formulation of low-carbon city policies and sustainable urban planning, emphasizing the global importance of local socioeconomic dynamics and offering a valuable reference for cities worldwide seeking to advance sustainability transitions and meet international climate targets. Full article

The centennial olive trees of Tunisia serve as enduring symbols of resilience, having withstood the test of time while witnessing the effects of climate change, rising temperatures, water scarcity, and the emergence of new diseases. Presently, there is a notable lack of research on the genomic analysis of ancient trees. This study investigates the genetic diversity of twenty-eight ancient olive specimens collected from archeological sites in nine governorates from the north to the south of Tunisia. Using nine highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, these ancient olive trees were compared with twenty-five local Tunisian cultivars and sixty olive varieties from other Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, and Spain). The ancient olive trees were revealed to have a high genetic diversity, with 67 alleles and a Shannon index of 1.68. The key findings identify the ancient trees M25, M1, M28, and M24 as synonyms for local olive cultivars, while “M10” is noted as a first-generation migrant from Tunisian olives. Cluster analysis methods, including structure, neighbor-joining (NJ), and principal coordinates (PCoA), show that these ancient trees share a common genetic background and ancestry with varieties from Tunisia, Italy, Spain, and Greece. The conservation and evaluation of these genotypes will increase the genetic diversity available for breeding programs and strengthen the resilience of agriculture, which is currently facing unprecedented pressure worldwide. Full article

As urban areas expand rapidly, understanding the complex interactions between human migration, climate change impacts, and biodiversity loss is crucial for effective climate policy. However, comprehensive knowledge of the simultaneous interaction of these aspects is still scarce. Thus, this paper proposes the classification of ‘Climate Emergency Coastal Cities’, with the categorization of 43 cities into four levels according to their vulnerability (extreme, very high, high, and critical). Our study contributes to evidence-based climate policy and supports efficient resource allocation and interventions for the most vulnerable coastal cities. Highly anthropogenic megacities were ranked as the most sensitive to climate emergencies (Lagos, Nigeria; Jakarta, Indonesia; Los Angeles and Houston, USA; and Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China). It is noteworthy that in countries from both the Global North and South, the entry of new populations is a critical issue, and represents a threat to urban structures and biodiversity; however, in territories with fragile economies and numerous governance challenges, the required structure is still more challenging. The study concludes that integrated urban planning policies are crucial, considering various perspectives and coordinated actions. Policies should address marginalized urban groups and include migrants, and promote human well-being, ecosystem recovery, and climate mitigation, for effective adaptation. Full article

Climate change is among the greatest threats to health in the 21st century, requiring the urgent scaling-up of adaptation interventions. We aim to summarise adaptation interventions that were funded by the Belmont Forum and the European Union, the largest global funders of climate change and health research. A systematic search was conducted (updated February 2023) to identify articles on adaptation interventions for health within this funding network. The data extracted included study characteristics, types of interventions, and study outcomes. The results were synthesised narratively within the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 197 articles were screened, with 37 reporting on adaptation interventions. The majority of interventions focused on the general population (n = 17), with few studies examining high-risk populations such as pregnant women and children (n = 4) or migrants (n = 0). Targeted interventions were mostly aimed at behavioural change (n = 8) and health system strengthening (n = 6), while interventions with mitigation co-benefits such as nature-based solutions (n = 1) or the built environment (n = 0) were limited. The most studied climate change hazard was extreme heat (n = 26). Several studies reported promising findings, principally regarding interventions to counter heat impacts on workers and pregnant women and improving risk awareness in communities. These findings provide a platform on which to expand research and public health interventions for safeguarding public health from the effects of climate change. Full article

The architecture of international aid and climate finance should be reformed to address the needs of climate migrants. While humanitarian aid agencies that support some climate migrants are increasingly overburdened, climate migration has been underestimated and largely neglected by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The policy community has based a high-end estimate of 216 million potential climate migrants by 2050 on Groundswell (2021), but Groundswell does not address all drivers. It uses statistical methods to estimate internal migration from slow-onset drivers including crop yields, water supplies, and sea level rise, but the state of knowledge only permits rough, “back-of-the-envelope” estimates for other forms and drivers. Working out such estimates for sudden-onset drivers and for the remaining slow-onset drivers, if mitigation and adaptation are weak, I find that there could be about 500 million climate migrants by 2050. While the UNFCCC classifies climate migration under adaptation, few adaptation resources are devoted to migrants’ needs. Based on humanitarian aid expenses for other kinds of migrants, I estimate it could cost around $7000 per person to help climate migrants to rebuild their lives. At this rate, support for climate migrants would be a significant part of the total climate finance, and with organizational needs for supporting climate migrants being quite different from those for adaptation proper, it would make sense for the UNFCCC to address climate migration as a separate category on par with mitigation and adaptation. Full article

Nowadays, improved fishing technology and depleted stocks cause fishery shocks in sensitive regions that lead to job losses and added insecurity. In fishery-dependent communities, more and more fishers are moving countries looking for a living. This study aims to know the perception of migrants in Spain about the sustainability of fishing in their countries of origin and how this perception influenced their individual behaviors and their decision to move. To this end, 203 families from 32 countries differentially affected by fishery shocks in Africa and Latin America were interviewed face-to-face to quantify the perceived weight of fishery changes on their decision to move, compared with socioeconomic and security reasons. The perception of fishing declines and their importance as a cause of mobility were positively and significantly correlated. Our study highlights the important and unexplored link between human mobility and fishery depletion, supporting the idea that fishing declines—induced at least partially by climate change—are one of the causes of mobility. Full article

A significant number of people, either seasonally or permanently, migrate from the Thar Desert in Pakistan each year due to droughts caused by climate change. This study aims to investigate the determinants and consequences of these migration decisions, examine the effectiveness of migration as a climate adaptation strategy, and identify challenges in adapting to these changes. Data were gathered from 400 migrated households in the Mithi sub-district. A mixed-method approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings revealed that threats to the standard of living, including lack of food and clean drinking water, unemployment, and limited educational and medical opportunities, were the primary reasons for permanent and temporary migration from ancestral locations. Migration significantly impacted the origin and destination regions, with positive or negative effects. Specifically, migrants identified various consequences for both the origin and destination communities, including population decline (63%), changes in age structure, increased demand for housing, economic fluctuations (73%), alterations in healthcare services, and increased psychological stress (77%). The study also revealed that individuals who migrated from the Thar Desert experienced improved conditions compared to their previous location, such as diversification of income sources, increased job stability, access to clean water and food, reduced health risks, and overall improvements in their living conditions. However, the destination communities faced significant challenges due to widespread resource depletion and environmental deterioration. Migrants encountered barriers to developing resilient livelihoods in destination areas, including lack of proper knowledge and information, institutional and government issues, environmental and technological challenges, and social and cultural issues. The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies and sustainable solutions to address the root causes of migration and support the resilience of vulnerable populations. Full article

There is an increasing consensus that climate change undermines human security by exacerbating existing challenges, acting as a “threat multiplier”. Bangladesh is a climate hot spot due to its geographical location, dense population and vulnerable socio-economic infrastructure. Although there is an increasing number of studies on the impacts of climate change in Bangladesh, aggregated research that combines this evidence and provides a comprehensive overview is lacking. The aim of this research is to thoroughly investigate the characteristics of the academic literature on the complex pathways through which climate variability affects different components of human security in Bangladesh, allowing for determination of the trends and research gaps, as well as whether they lead to conflict or cooperation. We used a systematic mapping methodology to search and screen 1839 publications in Web of Science, including 320 publications for the final synthesis. We found a predominant research focus on rural areas, especially in the southwestern region, with declining crop yield, economic loss, migration, water shortage, food scarcity and health hazards being the highlighted impacts of climate change for Bangladesh. The impacts on food, economic, environmental, health and water security have been well studied, but we found significant research gaps in some human security components, especially energy security. Women and the economically disadvantaged are disproportionately affected, and the causal pathways between conflict or cooperation and the ever-changing climate lack research efforts, implying a dire need to focus on under-researched areas before they become more complex and difficult to address. Policies and interventions should prioritise climate-resilient agricultural practices and infrastructure in high-risk areas, building local capacities and integrating climate risk assessments into urban planning, considering the high influx of environmental migrants. This systematic map provides a foundation for future longitudinal studies, establishes a baseline for this era for future comparisons and serves as a reliable database for relevant stakeholders and policy makers. Full article

Environmental shock migration is a pressing phenomenon that became prominent with the continuous emergence of natural disasters and climatic shocks worldwide. In order to cope with these various disasters or shocks, people choose to migrate either internally, internationally, permanently, or temporarily; the paper named this phenomenon “environmental shock migration”. For a holistic understanding, this paper analyzes the impact of environmental changes on migration and discusses the relevant consequences, specifically in the EU region. The paper demonstrates that natural disasters and climatic shocks as environmental changes lead to several forms of shock migration and differ depending upon the context of migration, the duration, the number of migrants, and the region. A comprehensive literature review will be provided to tackle the work of previous scholars and identify the gaps required to be studied in the future. Full article