New Books Network

Kelsea Best, Kayly Ober, Robert A. McLeman, "Migration and Displacement in a Changing Climate" (Cambridge UP, 2025)

Jul 6, 2025
Kelsea Best, an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University specializing in climate impacts and adaptations, joins the discussion to explore the intricate relationship between climate change and human mobility. They delve into how environmental disasters drive both voluntary and forced migration, revealing the emotional toll on vulnerable communities. The conversation also highlights innovative strategies for planned relocations, the socio-economic challenges of displacement, and the crucial role of equity in climate initiatives.
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INSIGHT

Defining Migration and Displacement

  • Climate change influences migration both directly and indirectly through complex factors.
  • Migration is often voluntary, while displacement is usually forced by acute climate shocks.
ANECDOTE

Hurricane Katrina Displacement Example

  • Hurricane Katrina displaced hundreds of thousands in the US with many relocating to Texas.
  • Lower income minority households were less likely to return to their homes after the disaster.
INSIGHT

Slow-Onset Events Affect Migration Differently

  • Slow-onset climate events impact migration indirectly and over a longer time, often eroding place attachment.
  • Such events may reduce migration by limiting people's resources to move, showing varied migration responses globally.
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