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Climatic factors as drivers of migration: a review

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  • Maya Moore

    (University of Vermont)

  • Dennis Wesselbaum

    (University of Otago)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the key contributions in the climate-migration literature and understand which environmental factors have been shown to robustly affect migration. We then discuss the findings on the channels through which climate affects migration. We find that there seems to be robust evidence that temperature affects migration, but the evidence for precipitation is inconclusive. Weather-related disasters affect migration, and it is important to investigate the effect of subcategories of disasters. In contrast to the existing survey papers, we highlight the question how climatic factors affect migration. Finally, we identify several open questions for the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Maya Moore & Dennis Wesselbaum, 2023. "Climatic factors as drivers of migration: a review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 2955-2975, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:25:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02191-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02191-z
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