idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
The recent elections in Germany, as well as those in the United States, have sparked intense debates around polarising topics such as migration. The connection between migration and climate change, however, remains underexplored. Development aid and international cooperation are key to addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change and human mobility, IDOS Climate-Migration expert, Dr Susan S. Ekoh argues.
There is a widespread misconception that climate change will lead to large-scale migration from the Global South to the Global North. In reality, most people affected by climate impacts tend to move within their own countries or nearby regions, rather than undertaking long-distance migration. Understanding this changes the way we think about the climate-migration nexus.
Countries like Germany can support both the right to stay and the right to move. For those who prefer to remain in their communities despite the effects of the climate crisis, Germany can help by investing in adaptation and resilience measures. This approach enables people to stay safe where they are and helps reduce forced migration.
Supporting resilience in countries of origin is also essential for reducing irregular migration. Often, people embark on dangerous journeys driven by a sense of limited opportunities to improve their lives. By improving local conditions, we can address the root causes of these movements. At the same time, for those who do choose or need to migrate, Germany can create pathways for safe, orderly and legal migration. This not only protects the rights and safety of migrants but also meets Germany’s interest in attracting skilled labour to fill existing workforce gaps. By aligning the aspirations of migrants with the needs of the labour market, migration can become a process that benefits both sides.
As Germany’s coalition negotiations continue, the integration of the climate-migration nexus into policy discussions is vital. International cooperation will be essential in addressing migration in the context of climate change in a way that can ultimately also benefit Germany.
Dr. Susan S. Ekoh is an Expert on Human Geography and Senior Researcher in the Research Project “Social Cohesion in Displacement Contexts”.
E-Mail Susan.Ekoh@idos-research.de
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=912fFMjng0I
http://Research Project: https://www.idos-research.de/en/research/description/details/social-cohesion-in-...
http://Discussion Paper: https://www.idos-research.de/en/discussion-paper/article/exploring-the-influence...
http://Video Series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYD-xK5iYZl3v4BJ2b8ZCOYg8d_m4QjmA
Dr. Susan S. Ekoh is an Expert on Human Geography and Senior Researcher in the Research Project “Soc ...
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Oceanology / climate, Politics
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