Immigration and Climate Change. An useful U.S. immigration policy is ideal. An efficient and progressive U.S.

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1 Erica Vogel Virginia Commonwealth University Dr. Williams March 24,2016 Immigration and Climate Change An useful U.S. immigration policy is ideal. An efficient and progressive U.S. immigration policy is desirable. An U.S. immigration policy taking in consideration many factors like transportation, education, and more specifically, climate change, is one that is needed and desired by all immigrants in our nation. Using works by Julia R Barrett, Celia & Jon Mcmichael, Jon Barnett, and A De Sherbinin (along with his colleagues) to explain the effects climate change have on migration and the increased immigration population. Climate change is not a new crisis, however, it has been a consistent contribute to the effects of global, social, and environmental movements. Climate change is indeed, an ancient phenomenon. It has always been present, considering the Earth s natural and gradual changes and already climate change has done some damaging acts to the organisms and their homes, for example, the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. However, with the presence of human civilization, there has been a noticeable increase in the annual temperature rate that seems to be linked towards the advancement of humans. This change in the troposphere has inclined human civilization to make changes, like resettling. The article Migration associated with climate change: modern face of an ancient phenomenon by Julia R Barrett shares the relationship of climate change and immigrants. She notes that changes like, droughts, floods, and food shortages has promoted the resettling of

2 populations (Barrett, 2012). Climate change has a huge role in dictating the response and behaviors of immigrants and even natural disturbances can be a good enough reason to migrate. Barrett also provides the three motives that are most noticed by migrants: (1) forced displacement, (2) planned resettlement, and (3) migration to cities (Barrett, 2012). The second motive is the common ground for resettlement based on climate change. Not only does climate change affect the behavior of migration by natural disasters, but it can also exacerbate health implications worldwide. An ill wind? Climate change, migration, and health by Celia Mcmichael, Jon Barnett, & Anthony J Mcmichael is another article explaining the importance of climate change and health implications of immigrants. Modifications in the weather like, rainfall and river flows jeopardizes human health via agriculture, daily hydration, cooking, and domestic hygiene (Mcmichael, Barnett, & Mcmichael,2012). Although climate change do not affect everyday lives directly, migrants still notice weather patterns that can possibly bring harmful conditions in the near future. Migratory flows still are shaped by climatic influences on environmental conditions, air temperatures, food and water availability, social structures, and migratory routes (Mcmichael, Barnett, & Mcmichael, 2012). Climate change has an obvious role in the migration of humans, even if it is minor, but maybe humans migrate because we fail to adapt. Climate change. Preparing for resettlement associated with climate change is an article that says just that. It says, maybe climate change causing a migration shift because migration represents a failure of adaptation (2011). The gradual increase of 2 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius (2011) can cause enough climate influenced changes to make populations increase and relocate. Past resettlements did not look too much in the changes in weather, but now it is taken

3 more seriously. Past implications of weather are even taken into consideration when pondering which location is the best for the individuals.knowing the possible present and future weather patterns can be useful for immigrations and all factors of immigration policy.transportation, homeland security, and health are just a few to name. The ability to readapt is something humans can do and would be useful when realizing the increase in temperature. Another article named Keeping up with a warming world; assessing the rate of adaptation to climate change poses a question of, can the species be able to adapt fast enough to keep up with their changing environment (Visser, 2008). This question has been posed by many scientists and researchers and they agree on if humans do not attempt to decrease the emissions and other harmful aspects in the environment and climate, then we must learn how to live with these climatic changes, if no change is followed through. The article stands from interesting viewpoint showing data and graphs about how the fitness of human individuals can strive to adapt to the changing climate. It is a great article with evidence proving its point. It thoroughly shows the noticeable trend between increased immigration population and increased annual temperature. This article is just taken from a very scientific point of view and still explains how the maybe that is one way for immigrants especially can note when migrating to a new location. The last article, Migration and climate change top risks facing global economy, which is also standing from a scientific view, show just have interconnected social, economic, and global issues are with each other. Head of global competitiveness and risk at the WEF, Margareta, notes the link between climate change, forced migration, and political instability (Yang, 2016). Climate change induced droughts and famine has more to do and just affect migration issues.

4 Report commissioned by the G7 countries said that climate change overburdens fragile governments through local resource competition, economic insecurity and forced migration (Yang, 2016). The article provides world wide climate change problems, which could explain the increase population. Areas like Brazil experience rising rainfall levels, whereas Southeast Asia is hit with severe droughts.(yang, 2016). In conclusion, an efficient U.S immigration policy should address important factors like climate change and take in consideration the needs of the wide variety of immigrants. With all of my sources agreeing that there is a connection between climate change and the immigrants and their decision to move, implications of moving, and future aspects, as well. Climate change should be considered in the U.S immigration policy for it s diverse possible implications. It is something where everyone on Earth is affected and working together, but still considering the needs of immigrants and the residents of Earth, can help reduce these problems and strive for a better and cleaner America.

5 References Barrett, J.(2012). Migration associated with climate change: Modern face of an ancient phenomenon. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(5), A205. doi: /ehp.120-a205b De Sherbinin, Castro, Gemenne, Cernea, Adamo, Fearnside, Shi. (2011). Climate change. Preparing for resettlement associated with climate change. Science (New York, N.Y.), 334(6055), doi: /science Mcmichael, Celia, Barnett, Jon, & Mcmichael, Anthony J. (2012). An ill wind? Climate change, migration, and health. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(5), doi: /ehp Visser, M.E. (2008,March 22). Keeping up with a warming world; assessing the rate of adaptation to climate change. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from doi: /rspb Yang, Yuan ( 2016, January 14). Migration and climate change top risks facing global economy. Financial Times.