Climate Change and Human Migration

Earth systems science aims to discover and integrate knowledge on the structure, nature, and scales of interactions among natural (e.g., physical, chemical, and biological) and social (e.g., cultural, socioeconomic, and geopolitical) processes. Climate-related migration can be temporary or permanent, can involve internal displacement within countries or crossing international borders, and can involve a broad array of other direct and indirect drivers. To explore how an Earth systems science approach may be used to address climate change impacts and the consequent influence on human migration, the National Academies hosted a workshop, Climate Change and Human Migration: An Earth Systems Science Perspective, on March 18-19, 2024. Workshop presentations focused on the data, methods, and research strategies relevant to understanding climate-related migration. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

Table of Contents

Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Overview on Climate Change and Human Migration: Current Status and Research Gaps 3 Mechanisms and Pathways for Modeling the Impacts of Catastrophic Events on Human Migration 4 Mechanisms and Pathways for Modeling the Impacts of Catastrophic Chronic and Slow-Onset Events on Human Migration 5 Transdisciplinary Research and Collaborations 6 Regional Versus Global Perspectives for Modeling Climate ChangeRelated Migration Impacts 7 Advancing an Earth Systems Science Approach to Modeling Climate Migration 8 Closing Reflections References Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Workshop Agenda Appendix C: Workshop Planning Committee Biographies