Preparing BC for Climate Migration: An Uncertain Climate for Migration and Settlement

Global Health

Occupational And Environmental Health

In a warming world, parts of BC will be a relative oasis for refugees and immigrants fleeing less hospitable climates and living conditions. Communities in BC should be prepared for such migration. In order to better understand the impact of climate migration on British Columbia, this project will analyze the regions from which migrants are most likely to arrive in BC from and determine BC's infrastructural, legal, political and socio-cultural capacity to absorb refugees and immigrants fleeing adversely affected parts of the world.

The relationship between the migration and the environment are considered to function in two ways: environmental factors cause migration, while the social environment—or host country—in which migrants seek refuge is influenced by socio-cultural and political dynamics[1]. Since a global framework to protect climate migrants does not currently exist, it will be important to explore the adaptive capacity and impact of increased migration on BC’s socio-cultural and political milieu. Additionally, a deeper contextual understanding of how key public and political figures prepare society for increased migration that feedback to influence public perceptions and shape public policy will be useful in our preparation for prospective climate migrants.