ANDREAS NEEF, NATASHA PAULI AND BUKOLA SALAMI |
The accelerating pace of climate change is reshaping our world, particularly in how people move—or are forced to stay put—amid environmental upheavals. The newly released De Gruyter Handbook of Climate Migration and Climate Mobility Justice dives deep into this complex issue, offering a timely exploration of how climate-induced mobility intersects with justice, inequality, and governance.
This volume tackles the multifaceted challenges faced by those displaced by climate change, from health risks and human rights abuses to psychosocial trauma and inadequate legal protections. But it also goes further, asking critical questions about those who cannot or choose not to move, remaining in at-risk locations. These decisions, rooted in factors like culture, economic constraints, or lack of resources, reveal the intricate interplay between mobility and climate justice.
What sets this handbook apart?
Drawing on interdisciplinary expertise, the book is a rich resource for academics, policymakers, and students alike. Its standout features include:
- A justice-centric lens: By connecting human mobility and climate change through a mobility justice perspective, the book sheds light on the socio-cultural and ethical dimensions often overlooked in policy discussions.
- Indigenous and youth perspectives: Featuring voices from communities directly affected by climate change, the book ensures the conversation is grounded in lived experiences.
- Thematic depth and breadth: Divided into six key parts, it examines topics ranging from health impacts and security implications to media portrayals and the role of religion in shaping perceptions of climate mobility.
Key sections and insights
- The climate-migration nexus: Explores foundational concepts and debates, providing clarity on the intersections of climate and migration.
- Decision-making and drivers: Looks at the factors influencing mobility and immobility, including economic, environmental, and social pressures.
- Health and security: Highlights the risks displaced communities face and the broader implications for global stability.
- Representation in media and culture: Investigates how climate mobility is framed in public discourse, education, and religion.
- Intersectionality: Unpacks how factors like gender, race, and socio-economic status shape mobility experiences.
- Legal and ethical frameworks: Addresses the pressing need for better governance and ethical approaches to planned relocations.
Why this handbook matters
As global coalitions and nations grapple with the realities of climate-induced migration, this book offers actionable insights and innovative frameworks. By integrating empirical studies with practical applications, it paves the way for more equitable policies that align with the realities of those most affected.
Whether you’re a student studying social sciences, a scholar seeking interdisciplinary approaches, or a policymaker crafting solutions to pressing climate challenges, this handbook is a must-read. It identifies gaps in current governance and offers pathways for a just and sustainable response to climate mobility.
Professor Andreas Neef is a member of the Griffith Asia Institute, Dr Natasha Pauli is from the University of Western Australia and Professor Bukola Salami is from the University of Calgary.
The De Gruyter Handbook of Climate Migration and Climate Mobility Justice is part of the De Gruyter Contemporary Social Sciences Handbooks series, known for its peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary explorations of emerging global challenges. With its forward-thinking approach, the book sets a new benchmark in understanding and addressing the complexities of climate mobility.
