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Does climate change influence people’s migration decisions in Maldives?

Author

Listed:
  • Ilan Kelman

    (University College London
    Univesity of Agder)

  • Justyna Orlowska
  • Himani Upadhyay

    (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
    The Energy and Resources Institute)

  • Robert Stojanov

    (European University Institute
    Mendel University in Brno)

  • Christian Webersik

    (University of Agder)

  • Andrea C. Simonelli

    (Virginia Commonwealth University
    Adaptation Strategies International)

  • David Procházka

    (Mendel University in Brno)

  • Daniel Němec

    (Masaryk University)

Abstract

The influence of climate change and perceptions of it on people’s migration decisions has received significant prominence, especially for people living on low-lying islands. To contribute to this literature, this paper uses Maldives as a case study for exploring the research question: How does climate change influence or not influence people’s migration decisions in Maldives? Previous work tends to start from a disciplinary climate change perspective, while this study combines migration, mobility, and island studies perspectives, within which climate change sits. As well, rather than focusing on the area around the capital, Malé, as with many previous studies, the 113 interviews here were conducted in eight islands across three atolls. The method was qualitative, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews using purposive sampling of ordinary people. Contrary to a view of islanders preparing to flee their islands as “climate change refugees”, the interviewees provided nuanced and varied responses. They rarely identified the potential of future impacts due to climate change as influencing their migration-related decisions. When migration was considered, it was chiefly internal movement seeking a better standard of living via improved services, better living conditions, and more job opportunities. If migration related to potential climate change impacts might happen, then it was assumed to be in the future for decisions then. This lack of influence of climate change-related perceptions on Maldivians’ migration decisions fits well within island mobilities studies, from which climate change perspectives could adopt wider contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilan Kelman & Justyna Orlowska & Himani Upadhyay & Robert Stojanov & Christian Webersik & Andrea C. Simonelli & David Procházka & Daniel Němec, 2019. "Does climate change influence people’s migration decisions in Maldives?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 153(1), pages 285-299, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:153:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10584-019-02376-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-019-02376-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Carmelo J. Leon & Yen E. Lam González & Giovanni Ruggieri & Patrizia Calò, 2022. "Assessing Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Management Programmes: Stakeholder Participation Process and Policy Implications for Transport, Energy and Tourism Sectors on the Island of Sicily," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-21, July.
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    5. Senanu Kwasi Kutor & Oklikah Desmond Ofori & Thelma Akyea & Godwin Arku, 2025. "Climate change-immobility nexus: perspectives of voluntary immobile populations from three coastal communities in Ghana," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(2), pages 1-23, February.
    6. Christopher G. Siverd & Scott C. Hagen & Matthew V. Bilskie & DeWitt H. Braud & Robert R. Twilley, 2020. "Quantifying storm surge and risk reduction costs: a case study for Lafitte, Louisiana," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 201-223, July.
    7. Emily C. Nabong & Aaron Opdyke & Jeffrey P. Walters, 2022. "Identifying leverage points in climate change migration systems through expert mental models," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 1-23, December.
    8. Zoi Vrontisi & Ioannis Charalampidis & Ulrike Lehr & Mark Meyer & Leonidas Paroussos & Christian Lutz & Yen E. Lam-González & Anastasia Arabadzhyan & Matías M. González & Carmelo J. León, 2022. "Macroeconomic impacts of climate change on the Blue Economy sectors of southern European islands," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 170(3), pages 1-21, February.
    9. Bishawjit Mallick & Jochen Schanze, 2020. "Trapped or Voluntary? Non-Migration Despite Climate Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-6, June.
    10. Bhusal, Prabin & Kimengsi, Jude Ndzifon & Raj Awasthi, Kavi, 2021. "What drives environmental (Non-)migration around the Himalayan Region? Evidence from rural Nepal," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 23(C).
    11. Bishawjit Mallick & Chup Priovashini & Jochen Schanze, 2023. "“I can migrate, but why should I?”—voluntary non-migration despite creeping environmental risks," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.

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