Climate-Induced Migration A Growing Concern for South Asia

One of the most difficult issues facing the world amid the polycrisis is climate change.

- Radhika Moondra

The lives and livelihoods of communities and areas vulnerable to climate-sensitive resources are being impacted by environmental deterioration combined with the unpredictable effects of climate change, such as water stress, droughts, forest fires, floods, and sea level rise. 2024 turned out to year of breaking records of being the warmest year in terms of exceeding the threshold of global greenhouse gas emissions, a rise in temperature of 15.100C ; 0.120C higher annual value than in 2023.

The combined average temperature of the year 2023-24 was 1.540C more than the limit set by the Paris Agreement of 1.50 C above pre-industrial level. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes the nexus of climate change and human migration. The International Organization on Migration (IOM) assessment reveals displacement of around 25 million to 1 billion people at a global level due to environmental degradation and climate change. IOM, defines climate migrants as "individuals or groups of persons who, predominantly for reasons of sudden or progressive changes in the environment that adversely affect their lives or living conditions, are obliged to leave their habitual homes, or choose to do so, either temporarily or permanently, and who move either within their country or abroad".