Difficult Decisions: Migration from Small Island Developing States under Climate Change

The impacts of climate change on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are leading to discussions regarding decision-making about the potential need to migrate. Despite the situation being well-documented, with many SIDS aiming to raise the topic to prominence and to take action for themselves, limited support and interest has been forthcoming from external sources. This paper presents, analyzes, and critiques a decision-making flowchart to support actions for SIDS dealing with climate change-linked migration. The flowchart contributes to identifying the pertinent topics to consider and the potential support needed to implement decision-making.

The flowchart has significant limitations and there are topics which it cannot resolve. On-the-ground considerations include who decides, finances, implements, monitors, and enforces each decision. Additionally, views within communities differ, hence mechanisms are needed for dealing with differences, while issues to address include moral and legal blame for any climate change-linked migration, the ultimate goal of the decision-making process, the wider role of migration in SIDS communities and the right to judge decision-making and decisions. The conclusions summarize the paper, emphasizing the importance of considering contexts beyond climate change and multiple SIDS voices.

Kelman, I. (2015), Difficult decisions: Migration from SIDS under Climate Change, Earth’s Future.

Are you sure you want to delete this "resource"?
This item will be deleted immediately. You cannot undo this action.
File Name File Size Download
migration_sids_under_climate_change.pdf 176 KB

Related Resources

Guidance material
12 Apr 2016
This toolkit provides national hydrometeorological services, policy makers, and media and communications for development practitioners with the tools, resources and templates necessary to design and implement an integrated communications strategy. It...
Tags: Guidance material, Climate Change Adaptation, Early Warning Systems
Game
07 Mar 2015
Es un juego diseñado con el apoyo del Centro del Clima de la Cruz Roja y Media Luna Roja para educar de una manera didáctica y divertida la problemática del cambio climático en las zonas vulnerables. Río Arriba, Río Abajo (versión corta), Río...
Tags: Game, Climate Change Adaptation
Video
15 Dec 2014
Disasters such as this earthquake in Haiti have severe psychosocial consequences. The emotional wounds may be less visible than the destruction of homes and physical infrastructure, but it often takes far longer to recover from the emotional and psyc...
Tags: Video, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Scroll to Top