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The migration phenomenon is not something new, it has always existed. However, it is now necessary to recognize climate change as a key factor in migratory movements.
During a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services, specialists pointed out that, years ago, it was more evident that migratory movements occurred between neighboring nations, however, currently it is observed that people move to more distant nations, and even cross continents. This change is caused by the climatic conditions that the planet faces.
Given the situation, it is necessary to prevent the abandonment of homes in the countries most vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, considering legal mobility a priority when facing migration crises.
Susan Fratzke, a policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute's International Program, expressed her concern for migrants, who are forced to leave their countries of origin in search of better living conditions and who, due to a lack of support to enter the country legally, put themselves in risky situations.
"There are very few opportunities to travel legally to seek asylum or protection. If a person is at risk in their home country or elsewhere, the only way they can seek protection is through an illegal process, because it is very difficult to obtain a legal visa and this creates different crises, for example, the humanitarian one at the border with Mexico," he said.
When they leave their countries, migrants face a lack of food and water, dangerous roads, false promises from "coyotes" or scams, discrimination, and women suffer rape. In the worst cases, migrants will never reach their goal.
Andrew Rosenberg, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Florida and author of “Unwanted Immigrants: Why Racism Persists in International Migration,” said that most people have a prejudice or racist feeling against migrants who enter their country, because they believe that they harm them economically and socially.
For Rosenberg, the migration crisis is not isolated from environmental issues around the world. “What we all need to consider is that these crises are not separate. Some have called this situation a “poly-crisis” to highlight the importance of how they are connected, while history and prejudice perpetuate each one.”
Amali Tower, founder and executive director of Climate Refugees, noted that between 80 and 90 percent of refugees come from countries vulnerable to climate change. In 2015 alone, she said, 50 countries suffered displacement due to natural disasters.
Tower said that climate change should be a global priority as it is a factor that can modify migratory movements, helping people to remain in their countries of origin; otherwise, the climate crisis will continue to put more people at risk.
“Currently, northern countries are the most vulnerable to the climate crisis, as they are spending more money covering and securing their border to keep migrants out, rather than addressing the crisis, forcing people who have left their country to become homeless.”
Finally, Hossein Ayazi, a policy analyst at the Global Justice Program at the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, explained that people who do not migrate also face problems of climate change, which should be considered in decision-making on migration policy.
Many of those who leave their homes in search of better conditions leave their families with problems at home: food crises, political, social, economic and health conflicts, so simply leaving the country should not be seen as a final solution to so many current crises.
“This is not just about supporting climate refugees who are displaced, but about transforming the conditions that have led to their displacement,” Hossein added.
In this regard, he pointed out that it is important to address the climate change crisis from the countries of origin, considering practices that help improve environmental aspects, moving away from the use of fossil fuels, after it has been shown that regional and local economies are being built that do not depend so much on them.
The reality we live in cannot be seen as isolated factors, he pointed out. Everything that happens in countries affects the whole world, which is why migratory movements are a consequence of political and social conflicts, economic crises and the effects of climate change, such as: high or very low temperatures, melting ice, animals in danger of extinction, severe droughts and intense hurricanes, among many others.
In response, experts called for measures to be taken to improve conditions for people in their countries and to seek local solutions to the effects of climate change that can help communities in general.
However, we know that migratory movements will always be present and generating legal avenues for migrants is an essential issue.
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