Towards a feminist political ecology of migration in a changing climate

Abstract

Research on climate and migration interactions has greatly evolved from environmentally deterministic explanations to more sophisticated and complex accounts of human (im)mobilities in a changing climate. Despite acknowledging gender and social inequalities as key factors shaping vulnerability and resilience, the multi-scalar power relations influencing human (im)mobility in the context of climate change have been underestimated. This paper argues that a feminist political ecology of migration can enhance our understanding of the gender and social inequities embedded in the climate-migration nexus by conceptualizing power relations across different scales in our world economy. Through a critical review of the literature, this paper highlights the ways in which a feminist political ecology approach can help unpack the power differentials that shape climate and migration interactions. The paper concludes that a more nuanced understanding of power relations across different scales is crucial for both advancing the conceptual understanding of the complex nexus between climate, migration, and inequality, and addressing the root causes of these challenges.