Climatic turn in migration studies? Geographical perspectives on the relationship between climate and migration

Abstract

Looking at the rapidly growing stock of literature linking climate change and migration, one could find evidence that there seems to be a “climatic turn” (Neverla 2007) concerning the explanation of migration. Climate change and its relevance for migration has undoubtedly developed into a strong argument, be it in migration research or in climate impact studies. Interestingly, already in the 19th century, scholars like Friedrich Ratzel and Ernest George Ravenstein considered ‘climate’ or ‘environment’ as relevant factors for triggering human mobility, although generally subordinated to other factors (Piguet 2013: 149). These assumed drivers of migration have been neglected for most of the last century. However, since Essam El-Hinnawi (1985) published an influential report for the United Nations Environmental Programme in which he coined the term ‘environmental refugee’, the idea that natural environments can force people to move, is back on the agenda. Ever since, we have witnessed a dynamic interand transdisciplinary field of research on the relation of climate and migration. In this field, environmental and climate scientists as well as scholars from social sciences and humanities participate. From the very beginning, geo graphers were engaged in this endeavour, too. This is hardly surprising as it is the main goal of geography to bridge the gap between human and physical sciences; therefore geographers seem predestined to contribute to the debate. Certainly, the geographical contribution is just as diverse as the interdisciplinary field itself. It differs in scope and scale, but also in perspective and epistemological position.