Recent research on climate migration is reviewed in this paper, including projections of future migrant numbers, while introducing a typology that distinguishes strategic migrants, disaster migrants, managed relocation, and trapped populations.
Drawing on migration theory and research on immigrant and refugee integration, the author proposes that wealthy countries allocate additional visas to poorer countries affected by climate change, partly as a form of climate justice.
These visas could enable strategic migrants to establish social networks that facilitate further migration and eventually support disaster migrants and relocated communities through co-ethnic relations.
The author also draws on refugee studies to identify key questions about how best to integrate disaster migrants in the future.
Additionally, the growing link between climate denialism and anti-immigrant sentiment within right-wing movements is examined.
It is argued that planning for the successful integration of climate migrants is essential, not only for humanitarian reasons but also to maintain the social trust needed for effective climate mitigation.
Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2024.2438449
Reference
Waters, M. C. (2025). Preparing for climate migration and integration: a policy and research agenda. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 51(1), 4–23