The Impact of Climate Change on Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration

Photo credit: UN Photo/Martine Perret

Climate change is increasingly becoming a push factor for global migration trends. The context of migration has become highly politicized as most destination states are calling for an end to internationalism and pluralism while countries of origin are becoming increasingly dependent on remittances from migrant workers (GAATW, 2016). Tightening of regular migration routes has been shown to increase frequency of irregular channels, increasing migrants’ risk of exploitation or becoming trafficked (Boria, 2016).

Studies have found that trafficking may increase by 20-30 percent during disasters due to increased physical, social, and economic insecurity (Yadav & Lal, 2017). Climate change reduces state capacity and human security creating environments conducive to non-state threats and conflict (Jasparro & Taylor, 2008). It also exacerbates conditions which contribute to trafficking such as poverty, landlessness, lack of income opportunities, food insecurity, and mass scale displacements (Dutta, 2017). Those affected by natural disasters are more likely to attempt riskier methods of migration which could increase vulnerabilities to trafficking. Women who are denied property rights, economic rights and participation in political activities are disproportionately affected (Bowersox, 2017).

It is predicted that by 2050, there will be over 143 million internal climate migrants due to the impacts of slow-onset climate change such as water stress, extreme heat, crop failure and sea level rise (World Bank, 2018). Sudden disasters are also becoming increasingly unpredictable (World Bank, 2018).

Both migration and trafficking are a result of numerous factors, therefore, it is hard to directly link climate change and trafficking in persons. However, evidence collected clearly illustrates that climate change has, and will increasingly continue to exacerbate environmental push factors. These push factors foster an environment conducive to irregular migration and trafficking.

I chose to research this subject because as climate change continues to worsen, it is critical to examine how it will impact global migration patterns. Countries in the Global North produce a disproportionate amount of CO2 emissions, however, the effects of climate change most severely impact women in the Global South who rely on land-based income. There have been numerous publications that examine the link between climate change and migration, yet, the connection between climate change and irregular migration is just starting to be examined. The subject is hard to analyze as there are no accurate figures surrounding trafficking in persons, due to the illegality and complex nature. The line between trafficking, smuggling and migration can overlap and a person can be impacted by various during different stages of their journey. Nevertheless, the link between climate change and irregular migration is important and relevant research as it has the potential to affect many people’s lives.

References:

Boria, M. G. (2016). Human Trafficking and Natural Disasters: An Empirical Analysis. Retrieved from https://dlib.bc.edu/islandora/object/bc-ir:106784/datastream/PDF/view.

Bowersox, Z. (2017). Natural Disasters and Human Trafficking: Do Disasters Affect State Anti-Trafficking Performance?, International Migration 56(1), pp. 196-212.

Dutta, M. (2017). Natural Disaster and Vulnerability to Trafficking of Women and Girls in India. European Scientific Journal, pp. 54-69.

GAATW. (2016). Annual Report.

Jasparro, C., & Taylor, J. (2008). Climate Change and Regional Vulnerability to Transnational Security Threats in Southeast Asia, Geopolitics 13, p. 232-256.

World Bank. (2018). Groundswell: Preparing for internal climate migration. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/infographic/2018/03/19/groundswell---preparing-for-internal-climate-migration.

Yadav, S. S., & Lal, R. (2017). Vulnerability of women to climate change in arid and semi-arid regions: The case of India and South Asia. Journal of Arid Environments 149, pp. 4-17.

Keywords: climate change, migration, trafficking, irregular migration

Author: A1