When Political Refugees Become Climate Refugees
As climate change drives more displacement, many of the most vulnerable Latin American migrants are moving from one risky place to another.
Barranquilla, Colombia, is a popular destination for migrants and refugees displaced by political instability. But they often end up in parts of the city vulnerable to storm surges and sea level rise.
Photographer: Gabysama/iStockphotoClimate change has emerged as an increasingly forceful driver of migration in Latin America, one that exacerbates the humanitarian crisis for people fleeing social, economic and political instability. Mayors in the region cited this collision of migrations as a top concern at the recent Cities Summit of the Americas in Denver, as some cities absorb new residents they are ill-equipped to support, while others struggle to retain population.
Rising temperatures and extreme weather stand to increase the number of displaced families not only by making entire neighborhoods vulnerable to disaster, but also by threatening food and water security — and upending people’s livelihoods. In some cases, some of the most socioeconomically vulnerable migrants end up moving from one risky area to another.