“Climate change is a threat multiplier: It contributes to economic and
political instability and also worsens the effects. It propels sudden-onset
disasters like floods and storms and slow-onset disasters like drought and desertification;
those disasters contribute to failed crops, famine and overcrowded urban
center; those crises inflame political unrest and worsen the impacts of war,
which leads to even more displacement.”
(Check out the full article here)
Do you think that migration due to climate change will be an economic
and political factor in the U.S. in the coming years? Furthermore, how will we
deal with it when we do not even have a designation for “environmental migrants”
or “climate refugees”?
I believe that environmental issues can most certainly become a large political and economic factor for the US. We are already seeing immediate effects of climate change within U.S. borders, and it needs to be the responsibility of the government to cover the people affected by climate change. Climate experts say the average land lost per hour off the coast of just Louisiana is approximately the size of a football field. This is displacing some small settlements currently, but the rising sea level can be worse than just flooding. By bringing the ocean closer to populated areas, the buffer of the swamps that extend miles into the ocean can no longer protect people from storms. Part of why Katrina was worse than any past recorded hurricane is because the Louisiana coastline has so much less of a buffer. This is happening everywhere, but very notably in Florida, North Eastern Europe, South East Asia, Oceania, Canada's Northern Coast, etc... As things get worse more and more people will be displaced and this will certainly become a major political conversation. It would indirectly effect the economy by being a huge social shock as well as the intense devaluing of property close to rising coasts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with David there are many reasons that his will become a huge political factor for not just the United States But also the world. As we are already facing overpopulation in many areas it will be a struggle to not only find space for people needing refuge but also a struggle to maintain our current level of agricultural infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Kyle and David. This is occurring worldwide. I think from a political standpoint, the goal should be to conduct research and learn more about the matter so that proper measures can be implemented.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with all of the comments above, this is a global issue. Still a lot of researches needed to be conducted, and taking actions accordingly after the researches.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris in that appropriate measures need to be taken to protect the people affected. If these population shifts are inevitable, then what are the best ways to mitigate the possible negative effects that we'll encounter?
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