Human migration in response to environmental change can be beneficial and, in some circumstances, should be enabled, rather than constrained, say Richard Black, Stephen R. G. Bennett, Sandy M. Thomas and John R. Beddington in a Comment in Nature. The article is linked to the authors’ report on migration and environmental change — released on 20 October.

Investigating the likely movement of people both within and between countries over the next 50 years, the UK government’s Foresight report contends that migration will offer opportunities as well as challenges. Moreover, the greatest risks could be borne by those who are unable or unwilling to relocate, and may be exacerbated by policies that seek to prevent migration.

The authors argue that it is time for a fresh discourse, and fresh research, on migration in relation to global environmental change, which no longer casts it as wholly undesirable. “Current [global] policy frameworks should take account of these factors to avoid having to deal later with impoverishment and displacement under high-risk conditions.”

Photo credit:climateavenue.com