Youth, Migration, Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Reduction: Exploring Direct and Indirect Impacts on Mobility

Climate change is a global challenge that poses direct and indirect impacts on human mobility, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as women and youth. This blog comprehensively explores the intersection between youth, migration, environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction, thus shedding light on the implications for sustainable development and the urgent need for action. The blog discusses both direct consequences of environmental change on human mobility, such as forced displacement, as well as indirect impacts like changes in livelihood opportunities leading to internal migration. It emphasizes the importance of addressing climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and empowering youth in shaping sustainable and inclusive solutions.

Direct Impacts of Climate Change on Mobility

Climate change is a multifaceted phenomenon that significantly impacts the environment, leading to various consequences such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecological degradation. These environmental shifts have notable effects on human mobility, especially within vulnerable populations like youth. Displacement arises when communities are compelled to relocate due to factors like the loss of habitable land, water scarcity, or increased exposure to disasters. The outcomes of such displacement reverberate widely, encompassing disruptions in social networks, strains on infrastructure, livelihoods, and challenges for both origin and destination areas.

As emphasized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the attribution of rising sea levels and extreme weather events to climate change has resulted in the displacement of millions across the globe. The impacts of these environmental changes continue to intensify, projecting a concerning rise in the number of displaced individuals, notably affecting youth.

When examining the direct impacts of climate change on mobility, it's essential to highlight the disproportionate effects on youth. As young individuals are often more vulnerable due to their limited resources and dependency on stable environments, they face unique challenges in the face of environmental disruptions.

For instance, consider the Lake Chad Basin which presents a compelling example of the direct impacts of climate change on youth mobility, as studied by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This region has experienced prolonged droughts and shrinking water bodies due to changing climate patterns. Such environmental shifts directly impact the livelihoods of youth who depend on agriculture, fishing, and grazing for their sustenance. Further, the research from UNEP indicates that these challenges have led to increased competition over limited resources and heightened insecurity, prompting youth to consider migration as a means of escaping these hardships conditions in search of better livelihoods. The displacement of young individuals from their communities can exacerbate social tensions and contribute to instability within the region. This example underscores the urgent need for sustainable strategies and interventions to address the interplay between climate change, youth mobility, and regional stability.

Indirect Impacts of Climate Change on Mobility

The indirect impacts of climate change on human mobility are equally significant. Environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and changing agricultural patterns can result in diminished livelihood opportunities, especially in rural areas. As a result, youth are often compelled to move in search of better prospects, leading to internal migration towards urban centres. This migration poses challenges in terms of housing, employment, social integration, access to essential services, safety, mental health, and family separation.

The World Bank's report on climate change and migration highlights how changing climatic conditions affect livelihoods, particularly in agriculture-based economies, leading to increased migration. For instance, consider a rural community highly dependent on agriculture for livelihood, where changing climate patterns result in prolonged droughts and decreased crop yields. This situation affects youth who see limited opportunities to sustain themselves in their home region. As their prospects dwindle, they might decide to migrate to urban areas in search of alternate income sources. This internal migration, fuelled by climate-induced shifts in agricultural productivity, not only strains urban resources but also presents challenges for integrating into new communities and occupations. The Groundswell report from the World Bank published in 2021, reveals that climate change, a progressively influential factor in migration, has the potential to compel approximately 216 million individuals across six global regions to relocate within their respective countries by the year 2050.

Addressing Implications of Climate Change on Mobility

To tackle the implications of climate change on human mobility effectively, a multi-faceted approach is required. Policies and interventions must prioritize climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures to enhance the resilience of communities, particularly among youths who are the most affected by climate-related mobility.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) advocates for integrating disaster risk reduction strategies into climate adaptation plans, emphasizing the importance of risk-informed decision-making and preparedness. By incorporating disaster risk reduction into climate change policies, we can reduce the impact of climate-related events on migration.

Additionally, investing in sustainable livelihoods, education, and skills development programs for youth can reduce the need for migration and foster local resilience. By providing opportunities for economic growth and stability, we can empower youth to thrive in their home communities.

For instance, in 2018, the IOM carried out disaster prevention initiatives in 57 different countries through 64 distinct projects. These projects were effective in minimizing current risks and averting potential future risks, thereby playing a crucial role in establishing safer living conditions for local populations. This, in turn, reduced the necessity for people to leave their homes or migrate. By improving opportunities for young individuals and helping them realize their ambitions, these efforts can lead to a situation where migration becomes a voluntary decision rather than an obligatory one.

Empowering Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction

It is crucial to empower youth as active agents in climate action and disaster risk reduction. Engaging youth in decision-making processes, supporting youth-led initiatives, and providing platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration are essential to harness their potential and create sustainable, inclusive solutions.

According to Connect4Climate, it becomes essential to enable the younger generation to become proactive catalysts for change. Youth, being the first cohort to reach maturity in an era marked by rapid climate transformation, hold a significant stake in how society addresses these pressing issues. Climate change brings forth both economic and environmental hurdles and, concurrently, opportunities. Empowering Youth in Climate Action is vital because they face the long-term consequences, have innovative perspectives, and can drive sustainable solutions for a more resilient and environmentally responsible future.

This blog has highlighted the interconnectedness between climate change, mobility, and youth, emphasizing the need for holistic and youth-centred approaches to address the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on migration. By recognizing these implications, societies can work towards building resilient communities, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring a brighter future for all.

In conclusion, addressing climate change and its effects on mobility requires collective efforts and inclusive strategies, with a focus on the specific challenges faced by youth. By investing in youth development, empowering their participation in decision-making, and implementing climate adaptation measures, we can create a more sustainable and resilient world for current and future generations.

About the author:

Ruth Kerubo Omobe is a seasoned Educator and accomplished Business Development Manager with proven success in business idea viability analysis, strategy development, and on-time, budget-beating results. She is Proficient in problem-solving, research, management, communication, negotiations, marketing, training, and team building. Forward-thinking with a passion for challenging projects, adept at designing systems, conducting research, and synthesizing findings. Skilled in writing, presentations, and team assessments. Proactive leader, dedicated to client satisfaction and efficient data synthesis. Committed educator focused on students' growth, fostering a stimulating, flexible learning environment with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

This article is part of the IOM Blog Series: Youth Voices on Migration, Environment and Climate Change