Reshaping Our World: The Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Climate Change-Induced Migration

Climate change-induced migration is an emerging issue that poses significant humanitarian, economic, and political consequences if not addressed on the international stage. Yet, its interdisciplinary nature, while cementing it as a greater sustainable development concern, confounds policymaking. Disregarding the implications of climate change, including but not limited to resource insecurity and overpopulation leading to instability and conflict, only exacerbates the probability of climate change-induced migration becoming a humanitarian disaster. The most prominent hindrance to the development of such a policy is the lack of a universal approach for recognizing climate refugees. Recognition poses opportunities for globalization, however it also poses challenges stemming from negative perceptions of migrants. Nonetheless, this synthesis of existing literature illustrates that collaborative efforts for the international recognition of climate migrants—as well as their capacities for adaptation and resilience—is crucial to create opportunities for sustainable development. Following the conceptual context regarding climate science and terminology, it is the aim of this review to analyze the adaptive capacity of affected populations and how migration is becoming a form of adaptation itself. Second, in an increasingly-isolationist world, there is a heightened fear of refugees crossing international borders. It is crucial to discuss the securitization of climate change and its classification as a non-traditional security threat. It is apparent that while most climate change-induced migration will be internal, it remains imperative to develop effective international policy. In the subsequent discussion of potential policy avenues, it is argued that given the appropriate opportunities to engage in their new communities, refugees are capable of significant contribution, despite their misperception as dependents. By integrating this information into one comprehensive document, policymakers may acknowledge the importance of recognizing and extending protections to climate migrants.