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Global warming may lead to eco-migration6 December, 2007 Climate change sweeping the globe could lead to what may be described as eco-migration, that is, the largest-ever migration of “environmental refugees” on account of intensifying droughts, storms and floods. Climate change is the largest environmental change expected this century. According to a recent study published in the journal Human Ecology, “people facing environmental disasters have no choice but to leave the affected area.” Springer, the publisher of Human Ecology, has said “the larger the migration and the shorter the period over which it occurs, the harder it is to absorb the migrants, raising the likelihood of conflict.” After analyzing three case studies – the US Dust Bowl in the 1930s, Bangladesh since the 1950s, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – Rafael Reuveny, professor at Indiana University, the United States, found that while “climate change can spur large population movements, public policy can alleviate the pressures of eco-migration.” Rafael Reuveny said that “Environmental migrants and residents of the area absorbing them may clash over jobs, resources and way of life, and violent interactions such as theft, beating, armed scuffles, seizure of resources and property, murders, insurgencies, and organized, militarized violence are possible.” Investments in preventive strategies in areas at risk of environmental problems could help reduce the need to migrate as well as lessen conflicts in areas receiving migrants, he added. Rafael Reuveny continues, “Minimising climate change-induced migration and violent conflict in receiving areas requires an engineered economic slowdown in the developed countries, and population stabilization and economic growth in developing countries financed by the developed countries.” To minimize the impact of environmental migrations, which can cause violent conflict in areas receiving migrants, Reuveny suggests that developed countries take preventive strategies both at home and in developing countries.
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