Advancing human security through knowledge-based approaches to reducing vulnerability and environmental risks United Nations University

Transcription

1 Advancing human security through knowledge-based approaches to reducing vulnerability and environmental risks

2 II International Symposium on Desertification and Migrations; October Almeria/Spain Migration Dynamics Generated by Environmental Problems Prof. Dr. Ing. Janos J. Bogardi & Dr. Fabrice Renaud

3 Security Statements Migration is a steady component of human history Land degradation started with agriculture, irrigation several thousand years ago. but things seem to become uncontrolled

4 Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 15 of 24 ecosystem services are degraded or utilised in an unsustainable way, mainly by humans for the supply of specific services. This could accelerate the degradation of ecosystems - scientific evidence still required. The poor and especially rural poor are suffering most by the decline in ecosystem services. 2 billion people living in dry regions are extremely vulnerable to the loss of ecosystem services.

5 Environmental Degradation and Ecosystem Services 10 to 20 % of drylands are already degraded; Pressure increases on dryland ecosystems for providing food, water, livestock, irrigation, and sanitation; Climate change could increase water scarcity in regions already under water stress; Droughts are becoming more frequent and their continuous reoccurrence can overcome the coping mechanisms of communities.

6 Migration: a new look on an old problem 1994: New thinking of migrations originated at the International Conference on Population and Development. 2003: High-Level Dialogue on international migrations and development. The outcome: 1) maximise the development benefits of international migration; and 2) minimise its negative impacts. 2003: launch of Global Commission on International Migration Global Migration Group contributes inputs to the Secretary General s report for the High-Level Dialogue. 2004: International Labour Conference adopted a resolution requesting the International Labour Office to implement a plan of action on migrant workers. 2005: establishment of a high-level inter-institutional group to ensure effective institutional response to international migration. 2006: Appointment of Special Representative on International Migration and Development. Proposal of a forum to offer Governments a venue to discuss international migration and development (High-Level Dialogue).

7 The Widening Income Gap: Pull and Push Gap in Per Capita Income Richest Poorest Countries Countries : : : 1

8 The Widening Gap: Life Expectancy Life Expectancy Richest Countries Countries Poorest Japan Malawi

9 Tracing the Tracks: Where are the migrants coming from? Where are they going?

10 Global Net Primary Productivity ( )

11 Global Variation in Net Primary Productivity ( )

12 Global Desertification Vulnerability

13 Hunger Map Category Source: World Food Programme Undernourished 35% 20-34% 5-19% 2.5-4% 2.5%_ No data Incomplete data Description Very high Moderately high Moderately low Very low Extremely low

14 World Population and CO2- Emissions per Resident

15 Comparison of Infant Mortality and GNP Per Person in Drylands and Other MA Systems in Asia

16 The guiding lights Target zones of international migration

17 Gross National Product and Income Rate per Resident

18 North America Annual Migration Flows (Estimates from 1994 / the arrows indicate flows above 100,000 people only) 150 South America -260 Central America Sub- Saharian Africa -510 Western Europe Eastern Europe North Africa Southern Asia Japan and Australia +350 China South- East Asia Source: Lutz (1994a)

19 Proposed Categories of Environmental Migrants Environmentally motivated migration; Environmentally forced migration; and Environmental refugees (including disaster refugees).

20 The five-pronged Approach Science: Proper definitions of environmentally motivated and/or forced migrations, environmental migrant/refugee; and programmes for a better understanding between the cause-effects mechanisms between degradation of ecosystems and social systems Awareness: Raise knowledge-based public and political awareness. Legislation: recognition of environmental migrants like in a convention or in parts of intergovernmental environmental treaties. Humanitarian: empower relevant entities to provide aid to environmental refugees. Political: devise concepts and put in place institutions that are able to assist the flux of forced environmental migrants.

21 Dryland / desert cultures Common challenges Diversity of traditional and local practices The dry world

22 Leaving Your Culture Behind Thank You