By Climate change alone does not cause mass migration
My message to the delegations: climate migration is not a distant future scenario, but already a bitter reality for millions of people today. However, they hardly ever flee across national borders to other countries.
A clarifying look at climate migration
In my view, the current discourse about climate migration is misguided: it is factually wrong, politically dangerous and morally reprehensible. The much-touted “climate migration wave” is based on thin foundations. Corresponding media reports are usually based on dubious studies that simply assume all potentially climate-affected people in a region to become international climate migrants, but they neglect internal migration and “stay and adapt” approaches.
Such exaggerated forecasts are being misused by populist forces in Europe and the USA to fuel fears of mass migration and create an anti-immigrant atmosphere.
Finally, the Global North fails to recognise its responsibility when it points to climate change as the main cause of migration to Europe and the USA.
People have always migrated to find better living conditions elsewhere – and not just since the onset of climate change. However, climate change exacerbates existing economic inequalities, which are the real driver behind international migration patterns.
Anyone who is seriously concerned about increasing migration to Europe should therefore focus on reducing these inequalities. This would also best serve the people on the ground.
