Forced migration through climate change
Published on the 02 Dec 2015 by Professor Jane McAdam
The changing climate will be the focus of world leaders in the coming week as they gather for the Climate Conference in Paris. Professor Jane McAdam speaks with ABC Radio National about the affects of climate change on migration. Listen to the full interview here.
Professor McAdam is also quoted on the issue in 'Paris UN climate conference 2015: As the summit starts, islanders consider life on the move', The Age, 29 November 2015. In this article she notes that two of the most vulnerable countries in Australia's region, Kiribati and Tuvalu, have a combined population of just 110,000 – less than the annual permanent migration intake of 190,000. Citing the work of the Nansen Initiative, Professor McAdam says countries could take several steps to avoid people being displaced and to respond more effectively when they were. Beyond adjusting migration intake, they include introducing policies that help reduce the impact of disasters in advance, and assisting with evacuation or short-term humanitarian visas. Read the full article here.