Social Sciences Sociology and Political Science

Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration

Description

This cluster of papers explores the impact of climate change on human migration, focusing on topics such as environmental refugees, sea-level rise, natural disasters, rural-urban migration, and resettlement. It investigates the vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in the context of small island developing states and emphasizes the link between climate change and migration patterns.

Keywords

Climate Change; Migration; Environmental Refugees; Adaptation; Sea-Level Rise; Natural Disasters; Rural-Urban Migration; Resettlement; Vulnerability; Small Island Developing States

Foreword Executive summary Part I. User's guidebook: Part II. Technical Papers: Preface 1. Scoping and designing an adaptation project 2. Engaging stakeholders in the adaptation process 3. Assessing vulnerability for … Foreword Executive summary Part I. User's guidebook: Part II. Technical Papers: Preface 1. Scoping and designing an adaptation project 2. Engaging stakeholders in the adaptation process 3. Assessing vulnerability for climate adaptation 4. Assessing current climate risks 5. Assessing future climate risks 6. Assessing current and changing socio-economic conditions 7. Assessing and enhancing adaptive capacity 8. Formulating an adaptation strategy 9. Continuing the adaptation process Part III. Case Studies: Preface Case studies Annexes: A. Glossary of terms B. List of reviewers.
This latest Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will again form the standard reference for all those concerned with climate change and its consequences, including … This latest Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will again form the standard reference for all those concerned with climate change and its consequences, including students, researchers and policy makers in environmental science, meteorology, climatology, biology, ecology, atmospheric chemistry and environmental policy.
International migration is a central feature of the contemporary world. The fifth edition of this leading text has been substantially revised to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the … International migration is a central feature of the contemporary world. The fifth edition of this leading text has been substantially revised to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the nature, extent and dimensions of international population movements, as well as of their consequences. Taking full account of the latest developments, including the impact of the global economic crisis and the relationship of globalization to migration, this text firmly contextualizes the main issues, theories and history that contribute to the field. This latest edition has extensive coverage of regional case studies, as well as additional material that examines the effect of climate change on migration. The book's companion website helps to consolidate learning by providing additional resources, including further case studies, links to external web-pages and a web-only chapter.
Climate change is expected to cause mass human migration, including immigration across international borders. This study quantitatively examines the linkages among variations in climate, agricultural yields, and people's migration responses … Climate change is expected to cause mass human migration, including immigration across international borders. This study quantitatively examines the linkages among variations in climate, agricultural yields, and people's migration responses by using an instrumental variables approach. Our method allows us to identify the relationship between crop yields and migration without explicitly controlling for all other confounding factors. Using state-level data from Mexico, we find a significant effect of climate-driven changes in crop yields on the rate of emigration to the United States. The estimated semielasticity of emigration with respect to crop yields is approximately -0.2, i.e., a 10% reduction in crop yields would lead an additional 2% of the population to emigrate. We then use the estimated semielasticity to explore the potential magnitude of future emigration. Depending on the warming scenarios used and adaptation levels assumed, with other factors held constant, by approximately the year 2080, climate change is estimated to induce 1.4 to 6.7 million adult Mexicans (or 2% to 10% of the current population aged 15-65 y) to emigrate as a result of declines in agricultural productivity alone. Although the results cannot be mechanically extrapolated to other areas and time periods, our findings are significant from a global perspective given that many regions, especially developing countries, are expected to experience significant declines in agricultural yields as a result of projected warming.
The consequences of environmental change for human migration have gained increasing attention in the context of climate change and recent large-scale natural disasters, but as yet relatively few large-scale and … The consequences of environmental change for human migration have gained increasing attention in the context of climate change and recent large-scale natural disasters, but as yet relatively few large-scale and quantitative studies have addressed this issue. We investigate the consequences of climate-related natural disasters for long-term population mobility in rural Bangladesh, a region particularly vulnerable to environmental change, using longitudinal survey data from 1,700 households spanning a 15-y period. Multivariate event history models are used to estimate the effects of flooding and crop failures on local population mobility and long-distance migration while controlling for a large set of potential confounders at various scales. The results indicate that flooding has modest effects on mobility that are most visible at moderate intensities and for women and the poor. However, crop failures unrelated to flooding have strong effects on mobility in which households that are not directly affected but live in severely affected areas are the most likely to move. These results point toward an alternate paradigm of disaster-induced mobility that recognizes the significant barriers to migration for vulnerable households as well their substantial local adaptive capacity.
Public participation is commonly advocated in policy responses to climate change. Here we discuss prospects for inclusive approaches to adaptation, drawing particularly on studies of long-term coastal management in the … Public participation is commonly advocated in policy responses to climate change. Here we discuss prospects for inclusive approaches to adaptation, drawing particularly on studies of long-term coastal management in the UK and elsewhere. We affirm that public participation is an important normative goal in formulating response to climate change risks, but argue that its practice must learn from existing critiques of participatory processes in other contexts. Involving a wide range of stakeholders in decision-making presents fundamental challenges for climate policy, many of which are embedded in relations of power. In the case of anticipatory responses to climate change, these challenges are magnified because of the long-term and uncertain nature of the problem. Without due consideration of these issues, a tension between principles of public participation and anticipatory adaptation is likely to emerge and may result in an overly managed form of inclusion that is unlikely to satisfy either participatory or instrumental goals. Alternative, more narrowly instrumental, approaches to participation are more likely to succeed in this context, as long as the scope and limitations of public involvement are made explicit from the outset.
Cities are key sites where climate change is being addressed. Previous research has largely overlooked the multiplicity of climate change responses emerging outside formal contexts of decision-making and led by … Cities are key sites where climate change is being addressed. Previous research has largely overlooked the multiplicity of climate change responses emerging outside formal contexts of decision-making and led by actors other than municipal governments. Moreover, existing research has largely focused on case studies of climate change mitigation in developed economies. The objective of this paper is to uncover the heterogeneous mix of actors, settings, governance arrangements and technologies involved in the governance of climate change in cities in different parts of the world. The paper focuses on urban climate change governance as a process of experimentation. Climate change experiments are presented here as interventions to try out new ideas and methods in the context of future uncertainties. They serve to understand how interventions work in practice, in new contexts where they are thought of as innovative. To study experimentation, the paper presents evidence from the analysis of a database of 627 urban climate change experiments in a sample of 100 global cities. The analysis suggests that, since 2005, experimentation is a feature of urban responses to climate change across different world regions and multiple sectors. Although experimentation does not appear to be related to particular kinds of urban economic and social conditions, some of its core features are visible. For example, experimentation tends to focus on energy. Also, both social and technical forms of experimentation are visible, but technical experimentation is more common in urban infrastructure systems. While municipal governments have a critical role in climate change experimentation, they often act alongside other actors and in a variety of forms of partnership. These findings point at experimentation as a key tool to open up new political spaces for governing climate change in the city.
Municipal planning represents a key avenue for local adaptation, but is subject to recognised constraints. To date, these constraints have focused on simplistic factors such as limited resources and lack … Municipal planning represents a key avenue for local adaptation, but is subject to recognised constraints. To date, these constraints have focused on simplistic factors such as limited resources and lack of information. In this paper we argue that this focus has obscured a wider set of constraints which need to be acknowledged and addressed if adaptation is likely to advance through municipal planning. Although these recognised constraints are relevant, we argue that what underpins these issues are more fundamental challenges affecting local, placed-based planning by drawing on the related field of community-based environmental planning (CBEP). In considering a wider set of constraints to practical attempts towards adaptation, the paper considers planning based on a case study of three municipalities in Sydney, Australia in 2008. The results demonstrate that climate adaptation was widely accepted as an important issue for planning conducted by local governments. However, it was yet to be embedded in planning practice which retained a strong mitigation bias in relation to climate change. In considering the case study, we draw attention to factors thus far under-acknowledged in the climate adaptation literature. These include leadership, institutional context and competing planning agendas. These factors can serve as constraints or enabling mechanisms for achieving climate adaptation depending upon how they are exploited in any given situation. The paper concludes that, through addressing these issues, local, place-based planning can play a greater role in achieving climate adaptation.
The impacts of climate change are likely to affect population distribution and mobility. While alarmist predictions of massive flows of refugees are not supported by past experiences of responses to … The impacts of climate change are likely to affect population distribution and mobility. While alarmist predictions of massive flows of refugees are not supported by past experiences of responses to droughts and extreme weather events, predictions for future migration flows are tentative at best. What we do know is that mobility and migration are key responses to environmental and non-environmental transformations and pressures. They should therefore be a central element of strategies of adaptation to climate change. This requires a radical change in policy makers’ perceptions of migration as a problem and a better understanding of the role of local and national institutions in supporting and accommodating mobility.
Resilience is everywhere in contemporary debates about global environmental change. The application of resilience concepts to social and ecological systems and dilemmas has been roundly critiqued for under-theorizing social dimensions, … Resilience is everywhere in contemporary debates about global environmental change. The application of resilience concepts to social and ecological systems and dilemmas has been roundly critiqued for under-theorizing social dimensions, and human geographers particularly have been an important critical voice in highlighting the omission of social, political and cultural dynamics from different resilience literatures. Here I examine whether and how resilience theory and applications are addressing these shortcomings and incorporating these social and political dimensions. My premise is that within the emerging field of resilience there are many voices expressing multiple and often contested interpretations and meanings. The field is rapidly evolving and new ideas are being tested and introduced. Importantly, resilience is here to stay and is being widely taken up and applied in policy and practice. I review theoretical and empirical published research across fields of geography, environmental change, natural resource management, and international development, concentrating on new work since 2010. I examine three emerging topics: community resilience; transformations; and resilience as an organizing concept for radical change. I find that there is still relatively little analysis of social difference and resilience, and there are continuing tensions between normative and analytical stances on resilience. These characteristics are mirrored in policy discourses and local level actions on resilience.
There is a new phenomenon in the global arena: environmental refugees. These are people who can no longer gain a secure livelihood in their homelands because of drought, soil erosion, … There is a new phenomenon in the global arena: environmental refugees. These are people who can no longer gain a secure livelihood in their homelands because of drought, soil erosion, desertification, deforestation and other environmental problems, together with the associated problems of population pressures and profound poverty. In their desperation, these people feel they have no alternative but to seek sanctuary elsewhere, however hazardous the attempt. Not all of them have fled their countries, many being internally displaced. But all have abandoned their homelands on a semi-permanent if not permanent basis, with little hope of a foreseeable return. In 1995, environmental refugees totalled at least 25 million people, compared with 27 million traditional refugees (people fleeing political oppression, religious persecution and ethnic troubles). The total number of environmental refugees could well double by the year 2010, and increase steadily for a good while thereafter as growing numbers of impoverished people press ever harder on overloaded environments. When global warming takes hold, there could be as many as 200 million people overtaken by sea-level rise and coastal flooding, by disruptions of monsoon systems and other rainfall regimes, and by droughts of unprecedented severity and duration.
Settlements in coastal lowlands are especially vulnerable to risks resulting from climate change, yet these lowlands are densely settled and growing rapidly. In this paper, we undertake the first global … Settlements in coastal lowlands are especially vulnerable to risks resulting from climate change, yet these lowlands are densely settled and growing rapidly. In this paper, we undertake the first global review of the population and urban settlement patterns in the Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ), defined here as the contiguous area along the coast that is less than 10 metres above sea level. Overall, this zone covers 2 per cent of the world's land area but contains 10 per cent of the world's population and 13 per cent of the world's urban population. A disproportionate number of the countries with a large share of their population in this zone are small island countries, but most of the countries with large populations in the zone are large countries with heavily populated delta regions. On average, the Least Developed Countries have a higher share of their population living in the zone (14 per cent) than do OECD countries (10 per cent), with even greater disparities in the urban shares (21 per cent compared to 11 per cent). Almost two-thirds of urban settlements with populations greater than 5 million fall, at least partly, in the zone. In some countries (most notably China), urbanization is driving a movement in population towards the coast. Reducing the risk of disasters related to climate change in coastal settlements will require a combination of mitigation, migration and settlement modification.
Adaptation to climate change is recognized as an important policy issue by international bodies such as the United Nations and by various national governments. Initiatives to identify adaptation needs and … Adaptation to climate change is recognized as an important policy issue by international bodies such as the United Nations and by various national governments. Initiatives to identify adaptation needs and to improve adaptive capacity increasingly start with an assessment of the vulnerability of the system of interest, in terms of who and what are vulnerable, to what stresses, in what way, and what capacity exists to adapt to changing risks. Notwithstanding the scholarship on climate change itself, there are few studies on the nature of Arctic communities' vulnerability to climate-change risks. We review existing literature on implications of climate change for Arctic communities, develop a conceptual model of vulnerability, and present an analytical approach to assessing climate hazards and coping strategies in Arctic communities. Vulnerability is conceptualized as a function of exposure to climatic stresses and the adaptive capacity to cope with these stresses. The analytical framework employs place-specific case studies involving community residents and integrates information from multiple sources, both to document current exposures and adaptations and to characterize future exposures and adaptive capacity.
Abstract: Future changes in climate pose significant challenges for society, not the least of which is how best to adapt to observed and potential future impacts of these changes to … Abstract: Future changes in climate pose significant challenges for society, not the least of which is how best to adapt to observed and potential future impacts of these changes to which the world is already committed. Adaptation is a dynamic social process: the ability of societies to adapt is determined, in part, by the ability to act collectively. This article reviews emerging perspectives on collective action and social capital and argues that insights from these areas inform the nature of adaptive capacity and normative prescriptions of policies of adaptation. Specifically, social capital is increasingly understood within economics to have public and private elements, both of which are based on trust, reputation, and reciprocal action. The public‐good aspects of particular forms of social capital are pertinent elements of adaptive capacity in interacting with natural capital and in relation to the performance of institutions that cope with the risks of changes in climate. Case studies are presented of present‐day collective action for coping with extremes in weather in coastal areas in Southeast Asia and of community‐based coastal management in the Caribbean. These cases demonstrate the importance of social capital framing both the public and private institutions of resource management that build resilience in the face of the risks of changes in climate. These cases illustrate, by analogy, the nature of adaptation processes and collective action in adapting to future changes in climate.
Climate adaptation has become a pressing issue. Yet little attention has been paid to the consequences of adaptation policies and practices for sustainability. Recognition that not every adaptation to climate … Climate adaptation has become a pressing issue. Yet little attention has been paid to the consequences of adaptation policies and practices for sustainability. Recognition that not every adaptation to climate change is a good one has drawn attention to the need for sustainable adaptation strategies and measures that contribute to social justice and environmental integrity. This article presents four normative principles to guide responses to climate change and illustrates the significance of the 'sustainable adaptation' concept through case studies from diverse contexts. The principles are: first, recognize the context for vulnerability, including multiple stressors; second, acknowledge that differing values and interests affect adaptation outcomes; third, integrate local knowledge into adaptation responses; and fourth, consider potential feedbacks between local and global processes. We argue that fundamental societal transformations are required in order to achieve sustainable development pathways and avoid adaptation funding going into efforts that exacerbate vulnerability and contribute to rising emissions. Despite numerous challenges involved in achieving such change, we suggest that sustainable adaptation practices have the potential to address some of the shortcomings of conventional social and economic development pathways.
Reports of malaria are increasing in many countries and in areas thought free of the disease. One of the factors contributing to the reemergence of malaria is human migration. People … Reports of malaria are increasing in many countries and in areas thought free of the disease. One of the factors contributing to the reemergence of malaria is human migration. People move for a number of reasons, including environmental deterioration, economic necessity, conflicts, and natural disasters. These factors are most likely to affect the poor, many of whom live in or near malarious areas. Identifying and understanding the influence of these population movements can improve prevention measures and malaria control programs.
Preface and Acknowledgements ix 1 Anthropocene 1 2 Insecure by Design 38 3 The Poverty of Vulnerability 68 4 Living Dangerously 91 5 Atmos 120 6 Endgames 141 7 The … Preface and Acknowledgements ix 1 Anthropocene 1 2 Insecure by Design 38 3 The Poverty of Vulnerability 68 4 Living Dangerously 91 5 Atmos 120 6 Endgames 141 7 The Art of Politics 167 Notes 204 Select Bibliography 223 Index 231
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global mean temperature rise this century to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. This target has wide-ranging implications for Europe and its cities, … The Paris Agreement aims to limit global mean temperature rise this century to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. This target has wide-ranging implications for Europe and its cities, which are the source of substantial greenhouse gas emissions. This paper reports the state of local planning for climate change by collecting and analysing information about local climate mitigation and adaptation plans across 885 urban areas of the EU-28. A typology and framework for analysis was developed that classifies local climate plans in terms of their alignment with spatial (local, national and international) and other climate related policies. Out of eight types of local climate plans identified in total we document three types of stand-alone local climate plans classified as type A1 (autonomously produced plans), A2 (plans produced to comply with national regulations) or A3 (plans developed for international climate networks). There is wide variation among countries in the prevalence of local climate plans, with generally more plans developed by central and northern European cities. Approximately 66% of EU cities have a type A1, A2, or A3 mitigation plan, 26% an adaptation plan, and 17% a joint adaptation and mitigation plan, while about 33% lack any form of stand-alone local climate plan (i.e. what we classify as A1, A2, A3 plans). Mitigation plans are more numerous than adaptation plans, but planning for mitigation does not always precede planning for adaptation. Our analysis reveals that city size, national legislation, and international networks can influence the development of local climate plans. We found that size does matter as about 80% of the cities with above 500,000 inhabitants have a comprehensive and stand-alone mitigation and/or an adaptation plan (A1). Cities in four countries with national climate legislation (A2), i.e. Denmark, France, Slovakia and the United Kingdom, are nearly twice as likely to produce local mitigation plans, and five times more likely to produce local adaptation plans, compared to cities in countries without such legislation. A1 and A2 mitigation plans are particularly numerous in Denmark, Poland, Germany, and Finland; while A1 and A2 adaptation plans are prevalent in Denmark, Finland, UK and France. The integration of adaptation and mitigation is country-specific and can mainly be observed in two countries where local climate plans are compulsory, i.e. France and the UK. Finally, local climate plans produced for international climate networks (A3) are mostly found in the many countries where autonomous (type A1) plans are less common. This is the most comprehensive analysis of local climate planning to date. The findings are of international importance as they will inform and support decision-making towards climate planning and policy development at national, EU and global level being based on the most comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of local climate planning available to date.
The varied effects of recent extreme weather events around the world exemplify the uneven impacts of climate change on populations, even within relatively small geographic regions. Differential human vulnerability to … The varied effects of recent extreme weather events around the world exemplify the uneven impacts of climate change on populations, even within relatively small geographic regions. Differential human vulnerability to environmental hazards results from a range of social, economic, historical, and political factors, all of which operate at multiple scales. While adaptation to climate change has been the dominant focus of policy and research agendas, it is essential to ask as well why some communities and peoples are disproportionately exposed to and affected by climate threats. The cases and synthesis presented here are organized around four key themes (resource access, governance, culture, and knowledge), which we approach from four social science fields (cultural anthropology, archaeology, human geography, and sociology). Social scientific approaches to human vulnerability draw vital attention to the root causes of climate change threats and the reasons that people are forced to adapt to them. Because vulnerability is a multidimensional process rather than an unchanging state, a dynamic social approach to vulnerability is most likely to improve mitigation and adaptation planning efforts. This article is categorized under:Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values-Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation.
Summary for policymakers Technical summary Part I. Setting the Stage for Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment: 1. Overview 2. Methods and tools 3. Development and application of scenarios in Climate … Summary for policymakers Technical summary Part I. Setting the Stage for Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment: 1. Overview 2. Methods and tools 3. Development and application of scenarios in Climate Change Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment Part II. Sectors and Systems: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 4. Hydrology and water resources 5. Natural and managed ecosystems 6. Coastal zones and marine ecosystems 7. Energy, industry, and settlements 8. Financial services 9. Human health Part III. Regional Analyses: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 10. Africa 11. Asia 12. Australasia 13. Europe 14. Latin America 15. North America 16. Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic) 17. Small island states Part IV. Global Issues and Synthesis: 18. Adaptation to climate change in the context of sustainable development and equity 19. Synthesis and integration of impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability Index.
Increased concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases have led to a global mean surface temperature 1.0°C higher than during the pre-industrial period. We expand on the recent IPCC Special Report on … Increased concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases have led to a global mean surface temperature 1.0°C higher than during the pre-industrial period. We expand on the recent IPCC Special Report on global warming of 1.5°C and review the additional risks associated with higher levels of warming, each having major implications for multiple geographies, climates, and ecosystems. Limiting warming to 1.5°C rather than 2.0°C would be required to maintain substantial proportions of ecosystems and would have clear benefits for human health and economies. These conclusions are relevant for people everywhere, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the escalation of climate-related risks may prevent the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Significance We show that for thousands of years, humans have concentrated in a surprisingly narrow subset of Earth’s available climates, characterized by mean annual temperatures around ∼13 °C. This distribution … Significance We show that for thousands of years, humans have concentrated in a surprisingly narrow subset of Earth’s available climates, characterized by mean annual temperatures around ∼13 °C. This distribution likely reflects a human temperature niche related to fundamental constraints. We demonstrate that depending on scenarios of population growth and warming, over the coming 50 y, 1 to 3 billion people are projected to be left outside the climate conditions that have served humanity well over the past 6,000 y. Absent climate mitigation or migration, a substantial part of humanity will be exposed to mean annual temperatures warmer than nearly anywhere today.
Climate change is widely acknowledged as foremost among the formidable challenges facing the international community in the 21st century. It poses challenges to fundamental elements of our understanding of appropriate … Climate change is widely acknowledged as foremost among the formidable challenges facing the international community in the 21st century. It poses challenges to fundamental elements of our understanding of appropriate goals for social and economic policy, such as the connection of prosperity, growth, equity, and sustainable development. This volume seeks to establish an agenda for research and action built on an enhanced understanding of the relationship between climate change and the key social dimensions of vulnerability, social justice, and equity. The volume is organized as follows. This introductory chapter first sets the scene by framing climate change as an issue of social justice at multiple levels, and by highlighting equity and vulnerability as the central organizing themes of an agenda on the social dimensions of climate change. Chapter two leads off with a review of existing theories and frameworks for understanding vulnerability, drawing out implications for pro-poor climate policy. Understanding the multilayered causal structure of vulnerability then can assist in identifying entry points for pro-poor climate policy at multiple levels. Building on such analytical approaches, chapters three and four, respectively, consider the implications of climate change for armed conflict and for migration. Those chapters are followed by a discussion of two of the most important social cleavages that characterize distinct forms of vulnerability to climate change and climate action: gender (chapter five) and ethnicity or indigenous identity (chapter six), in the latter case, focusing on the role of indigenous knowledge in crafting climate response measures in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Chapter seven highlights the important mediating role of local institutions in achieving more equitable, pro-poor outcomes from efforts to support adaptation to climate change. Chapter eight examines the implications of climate change for agrarian societies living in dry-land areas of the developing world, and chapter nine does the same for those living in urban centers. Chapter ten considers the role of social policy instruments in supporting pro-poor adaptation to climate change; and it argues for a focus on 'no-regrets' options that integrate adaptation with existing development approaches, albeit with modifications to take better account of the ways in which climate variables interact with other drivers of vulnerability. Finally, chapter eleven turns to the implications of climate policy and action for forest areas and forest people.
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This Working Group III contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report provides a comprehensive and transparent assessment of the literature on climate change mitigation. The report assesses progress in climate … This Working Group III contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report provides a comprehensive and transparent assessment of the literature on climate change mitigation. The report assesses progress in climate change mitigation options for reducing emissions and enhancing sinks. With greenhouse gas emissions at the highest levels in human history, this report provides options to achieve net zero, as pledged by many countries. The report highlights for the first time the social and demand-side aspects of climate mitigation, and assesses the literature on human behaviour, lifestyle, and culture, and its implications for mitigation action. It brings a wide range of disciplines, notably from the social sciences, within the scope of the assessment. IPCC reports are a trusted source for decision makers, policymakers, and stakeholders at all levels (international, regional, national, local) and in all branches (government, businesses, NGOs). Available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Cities and Climate Change examines the links between urbanization and climate change, the potentially devastating effects of climate change on urban populations and the policy responses and practices that are … Cities and Climate Change examines the links between urbanization and climate change, the potentially devastating effects of climate change on urban populations and the policy responses and practices that are emerging in urban areas. Over half of the world's population now live in urban settlements, and the convergence of urbanization and climate change threatens to have an unprecedented impact on economies, quality of life, and social stability. Alongside these threats, however, is an equally compelling set of opportunities. The concentration of people, industries and infrastructure, as well as social and cultural activities, acts as a crucible of innovation - developing ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve coping mechanisms and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. This new report from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), the world's leading authority on urban issues, shows how cities can improve the way they operate in order to respond to climate change and provides practical strategies for strengthening their role as part of the solution. The Global Report on Human Settlements 2011 is the most authoritative and up-to-date global assessment of human settlements conditions and trends. Preceding issues of the report have addressed such topics as Cities in a Globalizing World, The Challenge of Slums, Financing Urban Shelter, Enhancing Urban Safety and Security and Planning Sustainable Cities.
Climate change is a defining issue in contemporary life. Since the Industrial Revolution, heavy reliance on carbon-based sources for energy in industry and society has contributed to substantial changes in … Climate change is a defining issue in contemporary life. Since the Industrial Revolution, heavy reliance on carbon-based sources for energy in industry and society has contributed to substantial changes in the climate, indicated by increases in temperature and sea level rise. In the last three decades, concerns regarding human contributions to climate change have moved from obscure scientific inquiries to the fore of science, politics, policy and practices at many levels. From local adaptation strategies to international treaty negotiation, 'the politics of climate change' is as pervasive, vital and contested as it has ever been. On the cusp of a new commitment to international co-operation to rein in greenhouse gas emissions, this essential book intervenes to help understand and engage with the dynamic and compelling 'Politics of Climate Change'. This edited collection draws on a vast array of experience, expertise and perspectives, with authors with backgrounds in climate science, geography, environmental studies, biology, sociology, political science, psychology and philosophy. This reflects the contemporary conditions where the politics of climate change permeates and penetrates all facets of our shared lives and livelihoods. Chapters include the Politics of Climate Science, History of Climate Policy, the Cultural Politics of Climate Change: Interactions in the Spaces of Everyday, the Politics of Interstate Climate Negotiations, the Politics of the Carbon Economy, and Addressing Inequality. An A – Z glossary of key terms offers additional information in dictionary format, with entries on topics including Carbon tax, Stabilization, Renewable technologies and the World Meteorological Organization. A section of Maps offers a visual overview of the effects of environmental change.
<title>Abstract</title> Climate activists’ tactics range from relatively moderate (e.g., authorised marches) to more radical (e.g., vandalism), but the presence of a ‘radical flank’ on wider public support for moderate ‘centre’ … <title>Abstract</title> Climate activists’ tactics range from relatively moderate (e.g., authorised marches) to more radical (e.g., vandalism), but the presence of a ‘radical flank’ on wider public support for moderate ‘centre’ groups is poorly understood. In a pre-registered experiment, we used a sample of non-activist Austrian adults, representative on age, gender, and region (<italic>N</italic> = 1,407), and found: a) the presence of a radical flank resulted in greater support for a centre activist group; but b) only when the centre group actively distanced themselves from (vs. endorsed) the radicals’ actions. Pre-registered path analysis supported a proposed moderated serial mediation model whereby centrists who actively distanced from the radicals were more supported because: a) they were seen as less radical themselves; and b) respondents identified more with them. Results suggest public support for moderate pro-climate actions can be enhanced through the presence of a radical flank, when moderates distance themselves from the radical flank.
With rising global temperatures come greater temperature and precipitation variability, contributing to more frequent and severe climate hazards that can upend lives and displace families. Lower-income households are often disproportionately … With rising global temperatures come greater temperature and precipitation variability, contributing to more frequent and severe climate hazards that can upend lives and displace families. Lower-income households are often disproportionately impacted, so it is important to understand how climate hazards influence human migration patterns across income levels. There has been limited research on climate migration within the United States (US), particularly with respect to its economic impacts, like the associated transfer of household resources and incomes, or "income migration." Here, we investigate spatial and temporal patterns of US domestic migration across income brackets between 2011 and 2021. We then investigate the role of climate hazards in shaping migration and income migration across US counties using panel data for the years 1995-2021. We found that lower-income households moved at higher rates overall but had less net migration across state lines, while higher-income households moved in a more directed fashion towards the most popular migration destinations. We also found an uptick in migration and income migration after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among higher income brackets. Property damage from climate hazards had small but significant relationships with migration. More destructive hurricanes were associated with reduced net migration and income migration nationally and in the South and Northeast. Flood damage was associated with reduced net income migration (greater outflow and/or reduced inflow of aggregate household income from migration) but had minimal effects on net migration overall, suggesting higher-income households (whose moves have a larger impact on net income migration) may be more likely to leave or avoid counties impacted by flooding. This work provides valuable new insights on the roles of both climate hazards and income levels in shaping domestic migration. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11111-025-00496-5.
Numerous factors such as climate change has forced thousands of people to seek refuge in safer neighborhoods and irregular migration patterns are reshaping global power dynamics, challenging both individual populations … Numerous factors such as climate change has forced thousands of people to seek refuge in safer neighborhoods and irregular migration patterns are reshaping global power dynamics, challenging both individual populations and traditional border security strategies. This study explores how cross-border collaboration, leveraging geospatial monitoring technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), can enhance migration management. By analyzing the impact of hurricanes, land degradation, and coastal flooding, the research highlights how real-time environmental data and predictive AI tools provide localized insights for decision-makers. The paper also discusses how regional alliances can develop safer migration routes particularly between Mexico and the United States to mitigate the risks associated with dangerous and unauthorized pathways. Ethical considerations surrounding surveillance and privacy are addressed, advocating for balanced reforms in political systems. Key recommendations include the deployment of AI-based early warning systems, revised asylum policies, and strengthened climate resilience networks, aligning border security measures with humanitarian principles.
This article examines Iceland’s regulation of forced migration and refugee policy from 1940 to 2000, highlighting how the government’s approach was highly controlled and selective. During this period, Iceland granted … This article examines Iceland’s regulation of forced migration and refugee policy from 1940 to 2000, highlighting how the government’s approach was highly controlled and selective. During this period, Iceland granted only 374 individuals international protection, despite being a party to the UN Refugee Convention from 1956. The study identifies two distinct categories of refugees: UNHCR-resettled groups, carefully selected based on criteria emphasizing utility, potential for assimilation, and often whiteness, and individual asylum seekers, who were systematically denied formal refugee status. The research reveals that Iceland’s refugee policy prioritized women, children, and workers considered beneficial to the economy to maintain strong control over immigration. Even late-twentieth-century efforts to integrate refugee resettlement with regional development policies reflected this utilitarian mindset. The findings illustrate how Iceland’s geographical isolation allowed for particularly restrictive refugee policies, which were driven by economic self-interests and assimilationist perspectives rather than humanitarian considerations.
YouthMappers chapters, utilizing OpenStreetMap (OSM), play a pivotal role in tackling climate challenges through education and activism. This study investigates the influence of a booster grant project on enhancing Climate … YouthMappers chapters, utilizing OpenStreetMap (OSM), play a pivotal role in tackling climate challenges through education and activism. This study investigates the influence of a booster grant project on enhancing Climate Activism and Education efforts through YouthMappers chapters in Sri Lanka. Through a geometric approach, the research integrates measurable survey data from OSM platform data from 223 YouthMappers chapter respondents at four (04) universities in Sri Lanka to evaluate five critical factors/dimensions: Capacity Building and Funding Support (CBFS), Climate Activism and Education (CAE), Community Engagement and Collaboration (CEC), Technical Skills and Resources (TSR), and Sustainability and Policy Integration (SPI). The Friedman test confirmed statistically significant differences across all factors’ variables (p &lt; 0.001), highlighting strengths in technical competence and educational integration, with gaps identified in community engagement and sustainability. A Radial Basis Function (RBF) model revealed moderate predictive accuracy, excelling in variables like CAE and TSR but indicating higher error rates in SPI and CEC. Practical outcomes include flood risk maps, curriculum-integrated teaching schemes, and localized mapping workshops. These results underscore the booster grant’s role in enabling impactful, youth-led geospatial initiatives. However, challenges such as internet access, training gaps, and language barriers remain. This study recommends expanding student and community participation, refining training strategies, and integrating OSM into university curricula. These scalable interventions offer valuable insights for replication in other vulnerable regions, enhancing climate resilience through community-driven, data-informed youth engagement.
Yatong Yang | International Environmental Agreements Politics Law and Economics
| UmweltEthnologie
Horticulture in Oceania has been under increasing scrutiny due to climate change and related policies. In Vanuatu, cultivators navigate crop growth and community life within the context of shifting environments, … Horticulture in Oceania has been under increasing scrutiny due to climate change and related policies. In Vanuatu, cultivators navigate crop growth and community life within the context of shifting environments, storm events, and innovations in climate projects. Desirée Hetzel offers new insights into the encounters and dynamics of climate change in this unique island nation by showing the routes around and roads towards gardening as both an environmental and a social practice. This reflection on indigenous agency from environmental anthropology and the anthropology of climate change comes at a critical moment of planetary transformation.
Raju Chauhan | International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research
Climate change represents one of the most significant and complex challenges facing the global community. Driven primarily by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, its impacts span ecological, economic, and social domains. Climate change represents one of the most significant and complex challenges facing the global community. Driven primarily by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, its impacts span ecological, economic, and social domains.
Abstract The Indonesian government emphasizes effective communication in its climate policy to tackle climate change challenges. It is critical to recognize that public participation, knowledge, understanding, and attitudes in Indonesia … Abstract The Indonesian government emphasizes effective communication in its climate policy to tackle climate change challenges. It is critical to recognize that public participation, knowledge, understanding, and attitudes in Indonesia often do not align, necessitating a nuanced approach to policy-making that influences communities. Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change highlights the importance of public engagement and access to information for developing effective climate policies, requiring active stakeholder involvement. Despite these mandates, Indonesia faces significant challenges in communicating climate policies due to the use of complex scientific terminology that alienates the public. This chapter advocates for key messages framed from a social work perspective to enhance understanding. Social work plays a vital role in supporting communities impacted by climate change, and these insights can help simplify climate communication. The study compiles data from government documents, literature reviews, and observations of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) in its public relations efforts. Findings reveal a communication gap within various sectors that possess climate change policies, indicating that public relations departments have not fully grasped the importance of strategic communication. New policies continue to emerge without clear guidance, while existing climate policies often lack effective messaging. Social work can be pivotal in advocating for environmental justice, centering the voices of vulnerable communities, and promoting inclusive approaches. By doing so, social workers can significantly enhance climate policy communication and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for all Indonesians.
As climate change intensifies, assessing vulnerability at territorial levels such as cities, countries, and regions is essential for effective adaptation planning. This study evaluates the applicability of the United Nations … As climate change intensifies, assessing vulnerability at territorial levels such as cities, countries, and regions is essential for effective adaptation planning. This study evaluates the applicability of the United Nations Environment Programme and South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission’s Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) for coastal regions in South Korea. By adapting and localizing 50 international indicators and a Geographic Information System framework, this research developed a Korean Coastal Vulnerability Index and used spatial regression analysis to compare results to historical water-related disaster data from 2010 to 2019. The findings reveal that contrary to South Korea’s global classification of “extremely vulnerable”, most coastal counties appear relatively resilient when viewed through the localized model. Sub-index analyses indicate that ecological and anthropogenic damage factors show the strongest correlation with past disasters among the hazard, resistance, and damage categories. While the model’s explanatory power was modest (R2 = 0.017), the regression nonetheless provides meaningful insight into how global indices can reflect local vulnerability patterns. The regression results confirm that based on historical hazard records, the international model effectively predicts Korean coastal vulnerability. It demonstrates the potential of scaling down global models to fit national contexts, offering a replicable approach for countries lacking localized vulnerability frameworks. It advances climate adaptation research through methodological innovation, policy-relevant spatial analysis, and theoretical insights into the multidimensional nature of vulnerability. The results support more precise, data-driven resilience planning and promote international collaboration in climate risk management.
Christina Allard | Journal of Northern Studies
Leena Hansen | Journal of Northern Studies
This article concerns climate change and its alarming, accelerating consequences and impacts on human rights—in particular, the rights of persons and groups, such as Indigenous peoples, in unique, vulnerable situations. … This article concerns climate change and its alarming, accelerating consequences and impacts on human rights—in particular, the rights of persons and groups, such as Indigenous peoples, in unique, vulnerable situations. The rights of the Sami people are threatened by effects of climate change as well as resource and energy developments aimed at addressing climate change in the name of green transition—a situation similar to that of many Arctic Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples, including the Sami, have demanded justice and adoption of a human rights-based approach as acknowledged in the Paris Agreement, with respect to their rights, in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The scope of this article is to study, in the context of Finland’s new Climate Act (2022), the national implementation of the international framework of a justice and human rights-based approach, in relation to the Sami people’s rights recognized in Finland’s Climate Act and climate policies.
Introduction Climate change is a major threat to small-scale fishers and coastal population of Malaysia, especially a significant population relies on the industry. However, records on adaptation capacity of these … Introduction Climate change is a major threat to small-scale fishers and coastal population of Malaysia, especially a significant population relies on the industry. However, records on adaptation capacity of these communities remains limited. Method This study investigated the perceived risks of climate change among 136 small-scale fishers in Terengganu, Malaysia and the influence of traditional knowledge on adaptive capacity to climate change. Data were collected from five villages in the coastal area of central Terengganu, Malaysia, using a snowball sampling method. Results The respondents identified three primary climate hazards: stronger monsoonal winds and larger waves (noted by 95% of the respondents), more intense weather (91%), and erratic rainfall patterns (91%). The majority of fishers attributed climate change to natural variability (90%) and the anger of God (85%). Of the five dimensions of adaptive capacity, flexibility was identified as the weakest. A structural equation model was employed to analyze the relationship between traditional knowledge and adaptive capacity. The results revealed that spiritual practice was the most significant component of traditional knowledge and subsequently, in general, had a significant impact on the adaptive capacity of fishers. Discussion The study highlighted the negative perception by fishers due to the neglect of their concerns by government. To enhance the adaptive capacity of small-scale fishers, national agencies and local fishing associations must actively engage with these effective adaptation strategies.
Abstract Africa’s rising refugee numbers lead to integration increasingly being replaced by repatriation. Investigating the long-term effects of refugees on host areas is crucial for sustainable integration, as the population … Abstract Africa’s rising refugee numbers lead to integration increasingly being replaced by repatriation. Investigating the long-term effects of refugees on host areas is crucial for sustainable integration, as the population increase puts pressure on limited natural resources. While existing literature addresses the environmental impacts of refugees, behavioral models rarely focus on this issue. This study uses an Agent-Based Model to simulate interactions between refugees, hosts, and forest resources. The objective is to (1) quantify the impact of refugee settlements and host communities on forest resources, (2) assess the effects of varying refugee settlement sizes on sustainable forest utilization and food security, and (3) evaluate how labor cooperation influences deforestation. The model applies a 2018 dataset from a refugee hosting community in rural Zambia, including 277 households, and comprehensive supplemental secondary data. Results show that forest reduction is driven by the need for firewood and land for refugee settlements, significantly reducing the forest area. Revealed deforestation threatens sustainable forest ecosystems and impacts food security by diminishing access to wild fruits and edible insects, crucial to local diets. Cooperation between refugees and host communities in slash-and-burn farming temporarily boost food production, but accelerates forest reduction. This leads to long-term resource depletion and competition. Highlighted dynamics show that, if unmanaged, refugee influxes can exacerbate food insecurity in rural refugee settings. Agroforestry and policy interventions focusing on sustainable land use, property rights, and alternative energy sources are essential to balance refugee needs with forest preservation and food security in host communities.
The growing impacts of climate change are forcing families in low- and middle-income countries to migrate to urban areas, resulting in widespread internal displacement. Despite the significant disruptions this causes … The growing impacts of climate change are forcing families in low- and middle-income countries to migrate to urban areas, resulting in widespread internal displacement. Despite the significant disruptions this causes to children’s education, its educational consequences remain underexplored in climate change research. This study addresses the gap by adopting a Human rights-based approach (HRBA) to education and integrating insights from the Education in Emergencies framework while examining the impact of climate-induced displacement on education. Through a literature review of academic and policy documents, the research examines educational vulnerabilities of internally climate-displaced learners, including restricted access to schooling, declines in academic performance, and difficulties adapting to new learning environments. The challenges are pronounced for girls, reinforcing pre-existing gender disparities in education. Based on the findings, the study proposes targeted policy interventions, including climate-responsive education frameworks and economic protection measures for affected households.
New data streams highlight the low levels of access to climate finance by the most climate-vulnerable countries, which struggle with conflict and displacement and call for more effective financing mechanisms. … New data streams highlight the low levels of access to climate finance by the most climate-vulnerable countries, which struggle with conflict and displacement and call for more effective financing mechanisms. While such measures are urgent, their effectiveness and impact depend on investments in capacity development and education. In exploring recent international policy trends in climate, conflict, and displacement, this article argues for greater attention to endogenous capacities and implementation of science-informed approaches. It highlights the key role academia and the education sector can play in addressing these gaps. In contexts where conflict and displacement are ongoing, and climate and insecurity jeopardize sustainability, this paper argues that strengthened capacities can represent a critical adaptation measure and a no-regrets investment opportunity.
Amid escalating climate risks, climate literacy is crucial for enabling community resilience. In Indonesia, the core principles of climate literacy are embedded in long-standing local wisdom across diverse cultural landscapes. … Amid escalating climate risks, climate literacy is crucial for enabling community resilience. In Indonesia, the core principles of climate literacy are embedded in long-standing local wisdom across diverse cultural landscapes. This study employs a qualitative, literature-based approach to explore how indigenous practices, ranging from forest and coastal conservation to water, soil, and disaster management, embody climate knowledge. Thematic analysis reveals that these practices reflect adaptive, context-specific strategies aligned with sustainability science. However, formal climate policies often overlook or marginalize traditional knowledge due to epistemic biases. The findings advocate for integrating local wisdom into climate education and governance through participatory and co-productive models. Such integration not only validates indigenous knowledge but also enhances the cultural relevance and effectiveness of climate strategies. Recognizing local wisdom as a legitimate foundation for climate literacy offers a path toward more inclusive, resilient, and grounded responses to the climate crisis
In the geopolitics of climate change the low-lying islands of Tuvalu are a ‘weak actor’. They are often referred to as the ‘canary in the mine’ concerning the planet’s future … In the geopolitics of climate change the low-lying islands of Tuvalu are a ‘weak actor’. They are often referred to as the ‘canary in the mine’ concerning the planet’s future in the midst of a superwicked problem. The islands are overwhelmingly Christian in profession: the default practice is to turn to the book of Job and Noah in seeking to understand their plight. They are seldom referred to in theological works beyond the ‘liquid continent’ of Oceania. There is no theological college on any one of these eight atolls and reef islands. In this kind of context the prospective theologian is likely to be a climate activist, a political figure and an advocate for indigenous knowledge. This coming together of formative influence leads to an embodied public theology that draws upon themes to do with what does it mean to be a good neighbour.
Urban heat islands are a growing concern globally, with cities experiencing rising temperatures due to limited vegetation, increased paved surfaces, and human activities. This study investigates urban temperature moderation across … Urban heat islands are a growing concern globally, with cities experiencing rising temperatures due to limited vegetation, increased paved surfaces, and human activities. This study investigates urban temperature moderation across the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) and its neighboring communities: Aluu, Rumuekine, Omuokho, Alakahia, and Choba. Remote sensing techniques, including Landsat 8 satellite imagery, were employed to map land surface temperature and land cover. Field surveys were conducted to ground-truth the remote sensing data and collect additional information. The study revealed significant temperature moderation within Uniport's campus, attributed to its organized green spaces and higher tree density (125 trees). In contrast, surrounding areas had spared tree distribution, largely confined to private properties (Omuokho, 22 trees). Land surface temperatures (LST) ranged from 30°C to 41°C. Notably, areas with higher tree densities, such as Uniport, exhibited more consistent cooling effects, while neighboring communities experienced isolated cooling around individual trees. This study highlights the crucial role of intentional green space planning in mitigating urban heat islands. The findings provide valuable insights for urban planning strategies, aiming to reduce heat stress and enhance environmental quality across Uniport and its surrounding Communities.
In a time when chronic diseases and ecological crises are escalating globally, plant-based diets (PBDs) have emerged not only as a scientific imperative but also as a profoundly spiritual and … In a time when chronic diseases and ecological crises are escalating globally, plant-based diets (PBDs) have emerged not only as a scientific imperative but also as a profoundly spiritual and ethical call. This article examines the striking convergence between ancient religious wisdom and modern nutritional science, focusing on how Indonesia’s six officially recognized religions—Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism—each contain scriptural and ethical principles that support a plant-based diet. Far from being a Western health trend, the principles underlying PBDs have long been embedded in the moral teachings of faiths practiced by over 270 million Indonesians. Drawing on scriptural references, religious doctrines, and theological reflections, we uncover how compassionate eating, bodily stewardship, moderation, and environmental responsibility are universal themes that transcend faiths. We also present the groundbreaking experience at Bethsaida Hospital, Indonesia, under the leadership of Professor Dasaad Mulijono, where a Christ-centred, plant-based lifestyle program has been implemented as part of mainstream cardiac care. Over the past seven years, this integrative model has delivered remarkable clinical outcomes, including the reversal of hypertension and diabetes, regression of coronary artery disease (CAD), improved renal and heart failure metrics, and a nationally leading restenosis rate of just 2% following drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty, without reliance on expensive and aggressive pharmacological interventions. By harmonizing faith, evidence-based medicine, and ethical nutrition, Bethsaida’s model demonstrates how healthcare can transcend the transactional and become transformational. The article ultimately calls for a reawakening among both religious and medical communities: to recognize that food is not merely fuel, but a sacred tool for healing, justice, and renewal. We propose that the path forward in public health lies not only in policy or pharmaceuticals but in a spiritual and nutritional renaissance grounded in ancient truths and modern compassion.
Urban heat stress is becoming increasingly urgent, yet it remains understudied within the broader intersection of climate change and spatial justice. While urban climate scholarship has largely focused on climatic … Urban heat stress is becoming increasingly urgent, yet it remains understudied within the broader intersection of climate change and spatial justice. While urban climate scholarship has largely focused on climatic impacts such as flooding, rising sea levels, and prolonged droughts, the socio-spatial lens of urban heat in marginalised and low-income urban communities has received limited attention. This article, grounded in a systematic review of the global literature, foregrounds the mechanisms through which heat functions as a site of socio-environmental injustice. We argue that fragmented urban morphologies, entrenched spatial inequalities, and uneven adaptation strategies collectively produce and sustain heat vulnerability. The article identifies three interrelated conceptual framings that elucidate the production and persistence of heat inequity: transitional injustice, green climate gentrification, and intersectional adaptation praxis. These lenses reveal how heat risk is differentially distributed, governed, and experienced with broader discourses of urban marginalisation, environmental dispossession, and epistemic exclusion. We contend that advancing climate justice in the context of urban heat requires moving beyond technocratic and elite-oriented adaptation, toward multi-scalar planning paradigms that recognise embodied vulnerability, structural inequality, and the socio-political ecologies of thermal exposure. By theorising urban heat through the lens of climate justice, this article contributes to a more expansive and critical understanding of urban climate risk, one that situates heat inequity within the broader structures of power, governance, and spatial exclusion shaping contemporary urban environments.
| UNHCR Global Trends
The climate crisis is influenced by various factors, as it is a multidimensional process. The colonial period represents a significant component of these factors. This study, therefore, focuses on the … The climate crisis is influenced by various factors, as it is a multidimensional process. The colonial period represents a significant component of these factors. This study, therefore, focuses on the connection between colonialism and the climate crisis. Colonialism was driven by the efforts of colonial powers to secure resources that would sustain their expanding economies, in line with their economic and political interests. During this process, practices such as the exploitation of natural resources and the displacement of indigenous peoples left lasting impacts on the economic, social, and cultural structures of societies. As a continuation of the historical legacy of colonialism, the climate crisis has disproportionately burdened the Global South, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. This article underscores the importance of understanding the link between the climate crisis and colonialism, explores the neo-colonial mentality, and examines the implications of these dynamics for global climate policies.