Policy brief

Environmental Change and Human Mobility: Reducing Vulnerability & Increasing Resilience

Author

Susan F. Martin and Jonas Bergmann

Date
April
2017
Abstract:

Pre-existing levels of vulnerability and resilience in households and communities are important factors in explaining the determinants and outcomes of human mobility in the context of environmental change. On the one hand, they mediate the extent to which environmental changes cause movement as well as the types of mobility that occur. On the other hand, mobility itself affects the vulnerability and resilience of those who move, their families and their host communities. Recognizing the complexity of these relationships, the KNOMAD Thematic Working Group on Environmental Change and Migration commissioned a number of working papers that examine vulnerability and resilience, with particular focus on developing countries. This policy brief summarizes major findings and policy implications of these papers.