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People have always migrated in search of better climatic conditions or in response to environmental change. Today, this phenomenon takes on a whole new dimension, as climate change progressively threatens traditional landscapes and livelihoods of entire communities. Increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as floods, hurricanes and droughts, lead to significant population displacement every year on every continent. Every day we hear and read about ‘environmental’ or ‘climate migrants’.

The Atlas of Environmental Migration is the first illustrated publication mapping environmental migration, clarifying terminology and concepts, drawing a typology of migration related to environment and climate change, describing the multiple factors at play, explaining the challenges, and highlighting the opportunities related to this phenomenon. Through elaborate maps, diagrams, illustrations and case studies from all over the world based on the most updated international research findings, the Atlas guides the reader through this complex phenomenon from the roots of environmental migration to governance.

Dina Ionesco is Head of the Migration, Environment and Climate Change Division at the International Organization for Migration.

Daria Mokhnacheva works as a thematic specialist at the Migration, Environment and Climate Change Division at the International Organization for Migration.

François Gemenne is the Executive Director of the Politics of the Earth Programme at Sciences Po/USPC, and Senior Research Associate at the FNRS, University of Liège (Hugo Observatory).

01-AtlasMigrationEN-OIM-6sept.indd 1 06/09/2016 10:40

Copyright Material – Provided by Taylor & Francis

Dina IonescoDaria MokhnachevaFrançois Gemenne

The AtlasOF ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION



First published 2017

by Routledge

2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge

711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

© 2017 Dina Ionesco and Daria Mokhnacheva (IOM), and François Gemenne

The right of Dina Ionesco, Daria Mokhnacheva and François Gemenne to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

The maps produced for the Atlas of Environmental Migration are based on the maps of the United Nations Geospatial Information Section (2012). The designations employed and the presentation of material on these maps are not warranted to be error free and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations or of the International Organization for Migration concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

Publisher’s note: This book has been prepared from camera-ready copy provided by the authors.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record has been requested for this book

Maps and graphics created by Atelier de Cartographie de Sciences Po, Aurélie Boissière, Philippe Rekacewicz, Agnès Stienne, Zoï Environment Network

Research and map production coordinated by Daria Mokhnacheva

Typeset in Akzidenz Grotesk Next and Chaparral Pro by Alain Chevallier

Translated and edited by Alexander Bramble

Cover image: © Marie Velardi, ‘Terre-Mer (Oostende)’, 2014, pencil and watercolour on paper, 75 x 109 cm.



Gender and migration

them of their rights and separating them from their family.

New opportunitiesMigration can also lead to changes in the roles that are attributed to women in their society of origin and strengthen their financial independence and their contribution to the economy. Several studies have recently highlighted the key role that migrant women can play in development strategies via remittances, for example in the Philippines. It would thus be an error when studying migration

patterns to reduce women to the stereotype of passive victims. Critically, gender-specific analysis of migration helps to reveal the specificities of the roles played by women and men in their sociocultural contexts; and to better discern the different ways in which they are affected by climate and environmental events, and implement their mobility strategy. Such an understanding is indispensable in providing adequate, fair and sustainable responses and in avoiding the exacerbation of pre-existing inequalities.

Environmental migration can increase an individual’s vulnerability or, on the contrary, constitute a vector for personal development, according to the different roles played by women and men within their families and communities.

Climate change often has a differing impact on men and women according to the social and cultural context in which the concerned population finds itself. In societies marked by a pronounced gender differentiation of roles, the risks are, for instance, greater for women in the case of flooding if they do not have direct knowledge of the warning signs, do not know how to swim, or are forbidden from going outside alone. More generally, in the event of a natural disaster, the number of dead and injured is higher among women whose mobility is limited by the sociocultural context. Women and children also more pronouncedly suffer the social consequences of a crisis situation, in which protection mechanisms and the legal apparatus to combat human trafficking generally no longer function.

Differing consequences of migrationMoreover, migration caused by climate and environmental change tends to exacerbate pre-existing inequalities, intensifying in particular the gender-specific dimension of discrimination and poverty. A study carried out in the Chiapas region in Mexico demonstrates that climate change has led to a reduction in household income, the departure of men, and an increased domestic burden on women, who also have to deal with the emotional strain caused by the loss of plantations and the occurrence of illness among their children. In such a case, male migration has exacerbated female vulnerability. But migration can also prove to be an increased cause of vulnerability for men as well, forcing them to work in difficult conditions, to settle in poor urban zones, depriving

To recover from typhoon Haiyan, Charisse Licana undertook carpentry training to be able to rebuild her house. Philippines, 2014. © IOM/ALAN MOTUS 2014

90 The Atlas of Environmental Migration



StayStayStayStayStayStayStayStayStayStayStayStay

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Environment and mobility: a gender perspective

LeadershipLeadership

MENMEN

WOMENWOMEN

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When men migrate alone, women are left to manage households and take up tasks usually performed by men. Women may thus gain increased decision-making power and new skills.

Stress and physicalviolence

Climate change and disasters may increase women's physical and emotional stress in some traditional rural communities, as they often carry the responsibility of ensuring food security and the well-being of their families. In the absence of men, women face increased workload and exposure to physical abuse and violence.

Poverty, exclusion, Poverty, exclusion, exploitation

Low skilled migrant workers can be exposed to poverty, exploitation, marginalization, and violation of human rights in large cities or abroad, particularly if they are undocumented.

Physical risksPhysical risksMigrants may encounter physical dangers along the way and upon arrival, particularly when using irregular migration channels: risk of injuries, disease, physical abuse, violence or even death. Those who fall victim to human trafficking are especially vulnerable.

Livelihood loss

Climate change may lead to unemployment among farmers and herders. In the absence of alternative livelihood options and opportunities to migrate, livelihoods may deteriorate quickly, leading to poverty and food insecurity.

Exposure to health and physical risksDuring and after a disaster, men can put their lives at risk by engaging in rescue operations.

Trafficking, exploitation, violenceTrafficking, exploitation, violenceMigrants, and particularly women, can be very vulnerable to human trafficking, especially in situations of crisis or disaster, where traffickers take advantage of the chaos and increased vulnerability of affected individuals.

Limited land rightsLimited land rightsand accessto informationto information

In many communities, women have limited land and property rights, and little access to information, which makes them even more vulnerable to disasters and to the impacts of climate change.

Economic independenceEconomic independence

Migration allows women to generate their own revenues and achieve economic independence; it can be an important strategy for single mothers to help support their families through remittances.

Access to educationYoung women migrate to gain access to education as an alternative to agricultural jobs.

Income diversification

Male heads of households may decide to send younger family members to urban centres or abroad to secure a new source of income for the family, and relieve some pressure on the household as there are fewer people to feed.

Adaptation to climateAdaptation to climatechangechangeWomen can be powerful actors to influence adaptation to climate change and build resilience.

Use of remittancesUse of remittances

Women tend to allocate more resources to food, health and education, and to use remittances sent by their relatives in ways that contribute to building the household's resilience to economic and environmental shocks.

Remittances

Male migration is a coping strategy for many households affected by climate change, helping to diversify resources and support families through remittances sent home.

Social status

Migration can offer new opportunities for men to develop new skills, access better-paid jobs and improve standards of living, which can in turn contribute to strengthening their social and political status back home upon their return.

Sources: Angula (2010), Banerjee et al. (2014), IOM (2012), Jungehülsing (2010), Warner et al. (2012), WHO (2002)Sources: Angula (2010), Banerjee et al. (2014), IOM (2012), Jungehülsing (2010), Warner et al. (2012), WHO (2002)© IOM (Mokhnacheva, Ionesco), Gemenne, Boissière, 2015© IOM (Mokhnacheva, Ionesco), Gemenne, Boissière, 2015

Vulnerability Empowerment

The large majority of the 800,000 ‘liquidators’, who helped clean up the site following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, were men. They were exposed to high levels of radiation; those who survived suffered from long term health problems.

In Bangladesh, a study found that when women are left behind in the migration process without protection from a male member of household, they can face sexual harassment, violence and even early marriage, causing long-term negative social and demographic impacts.

A study in Chiapas, Mexico, found that more and more young women migrate to get access to education, as agricultural jobs become less viable due to the negative impacts of climate change and consecutive severe weather events. Education offers access to new, better employment opportunities for these young women in the city.

In the Himalayas remittances became a significant source of income for communities exposed to environmen-tal stress, allowing mountain households to cope and recover more quickly following disasters.

The Atlas of Environmental Migration 91

Challenges and opportunities



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P. 90Gender and migration

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P. 94Introduction

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142 The Atlas of Environmental Migration



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