Climate Change Impact: Rich vs. Poor and Migration Drivers
Climate Change Impact: Rich vs. Poor
Matthew outlines three potential scenarios where climate change and human security intersect. The first involves an exponential worsening of climate change, affecting everyone globally. The second envisions climate change stabilizing, allowing adaptation and potentially creating favorable conditions for future economic output. The third, the “two solitudes,” describes a disproportionate impact where the poor suffer extreme climate changes without the means to adapt, while the rich, in less-affected areas, use resources and technology to respond.
Considering current national security policies, resource protection, and global policy leadership, wealthier nations are more likely to overcome climate change due to their superior resources and technological advancements. Conversely, poorer nations are focused on basic survival, making climate change adaptation a lower priority.
Migration: Push and Pull Factors
Push factors are pressures that force people to leave a place, including violence, crime, economic hardship, ethnic or religious persecution, resource degradation, natural disasters, or poor weather. Examples include ISIS attacks in Paris or 9/11, and Mexican migration due to economic conditions.
Pull factors attract people to a destination, such as peace, human security, economic opportunities, freedom from persecution, and reasonable climate conditions. Examples include the United States and the United Kingdom, which attract migrants with welfare programs, refugee assistance, religious tolerance, and economic stability.
Voluntary vs. Involuntary Migration
Voluntary migration involves movers responding to perceived opportunities without coercion. Examples include Canadian immigration policies attracting professionals and retirement migration to regions with more stable weather.
Involuntary or forced migration occurs when movers have no choice but to relocate. Examples include Syrian refugees seeking asylum due to civil war, religious persecution in North Korea, and Iraqi Christians fleeing to neighboring countries.