Migration as Adaptation: Some Considerations Based on a Literature Review

In the past 15 years, an increasing number of research projects has been looking at the interlinkages between climate change and human mobility. The findings of these research projects contradict alarmist scenarios according to which millions and millions of climate refugees from the global South will desperately try to migrate to Europe or North America. One of the central and overarching findings is rather that migration – under certain circumstances – might be a form of adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change. Based on an analysis of the relevant literature, this chapter presents central findings and patterns concerning migration as (potential) adaptation to environmental changes. The goal of this chapter is to provide a sound and robust discussion basis for further research. Therefore, this chapter is meant as an analysis tool, which might guide the further academic and policy discourse on “migration as adaptation.”