"Climate change, in some regions, has aggravated conflict over scarce land, and could well trigger large scale migration in the decades ahead" - Ban Ki-moon, Ex secretary general of UN
Its Christmas eve, but I find myself writing about a truly saddening and unsettling issue; climate induced migration.
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| Figure 1: Cartoon depicting climate change migration - Source: Chris Madden |
The situation in the Pacific has become so extreme in the past decade, many Islanders across the region have been forced into migration to other safer regions. The process remains highly debated, with many islanders preferring to stay and voice their concerns further.
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| Figure 2: The Carterets people are often referred to as the first climate change refuges |
Pacific migration
Migration between islands in the Pacific is a long-standing norm, however the idea of forced migration to another country is exacerbated by the strong link between land and culture in Pacific societies.
Some Pacific nations like Kiribati have bought swaths of land in neighbouring less at-risk Pacific nations. While less at risk Pacific nations claim they would accept migrants from more at risk islands
Australia and New Zealand
The nations are the most developed in Oceania and are the least at risk from climate change induced problems, however they are reluctant to allow Pacific island migration, especially Australia. While, New Zealand's accountability for "climate refuges" has been tested in court, but rejected.
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| Figure 3: A table displaying the number of Pacific immigrants in Australia compared to the population in their own country - Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics |
Studies suggest allowing 1% of the Pacific's population to work permanently in Australia would be of greater benefit to the Pacific people by 2040 than all of Australia's aid.
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| Figure 4: Click the link to view this super cool interactive table about migration of Pacific immigrants in Australia - Source: Berkelmans and Pryke, 2016 |
Problems with migration
1. The financial implications of migration are substantial, especially when large numbers of people live in poverty in the Pacific.
2. Changes
to culture, tradition and social structure
3. Legal problems - A post on the LSE human rights blog writes about the legal battle climate refuges face
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| Figure 5: Graph displaying the factors influencing migration after cyclone Pam - Source: Taupo & Noy, 2016 |
The island of Niue has a population of 1,500, but an estimated 5,500 Niuean's live in New Zealand and therefore see themselves as the sole trustees of Niue's 'Taoga' tradition.
Warm waters project
Water warms is a project through which photography is used to investigate the
effects of climate change in the Pacific. I feel it's a project which really
puts this dilemma into perspective.
Video 1: Displays a number of harrowing images and videos from warm waters to emphasis the extent of the problem to those readers that aren't convinced by its severity
Wells
Hi Andrew.
ReplyDeleteThis post has allowed me to consider an issue that I had not really thought about previously, so thank you! Unfortunately, as climate change impacts accelerate, the impact of climate-induced migration is only expected to increase. I completely agree that projects such as the Warm Waters Project are very important, but do you think that this is enough? Do you think that more should be done to tackle this issue and put this problem in perspective? I personally think so as this is an issue that will soon be at the forefront of environmental issues facing us in the 21st century.
I hope you had a good Christmas!
Hi Bailey,
DeleteI firmly believe this is an environmental issue which we face today and not in the future and because of that I do agree that it isn't enough, but I do feel the warm waters project is a very good starting point, as without requiring previous knowledge it allows the viewer to see the problem at hand and because of this, it is a platform through which awareness can be spread very easily. Through garnering enough awareness, hopefully the situation in the Pacific will be thrusted more forcefully into the global limelight.
Andrew