Seminar on climate change and migration

On the 8th of November, a new report on climate change and migration with a focus on future scenarios and political choices will be launched by Delmi at a seminar in Stockholm. Maxine Leis, Mistra Geopolitics PhD student at Uppsala University, will contribute with her expertise.

The effects of climate change on migration have received increased attention in both political and public discussions over the past three decades. But are the analyses and forecasts that guide the work and discussions in this area in line with the patterns we see today?

How is international migration affected by climate change and climate-related natural disasters? And to what extent can we rely on forecasts of the number of people who will be forced to leave their homes due to changes in the climate?

Stockholm city. Photo: Maurizio De Mattei / Shutterstock

A new research overview from the Delegation for Migration Studies, Delmi, shows that migration as a consequence of slow continuous effects of climate change is difficult to measure because the factors that lead to the migration decision are often complex and multifaceted.

So, what can projections and estimates of future environment- and climate-induced migration really tell us?
And, to what extent can policymakers and politicians make use of these when designing policies and making laws in this area?

These are some of the questions to be discussed during the seminar when Mathias Czaika and Rainer Münz present the results of their new Delmi study Climate Change, Displacement, Mobility and Migration: The State of Evidence, Future Scenarios, Policy Options. The event will be moderated by Joakim Palme, Professor of political science at Uppsala University, Chairman of Delmi and engaged in Mistra Geopolitics’ 2017-2021.

Speakers

Mathias Czaika,University Professor of Migration and Integration and Head of the Department of Migration and Globalization at Danube University Krems, Austria.

Rainer Münz, PhD, expert in demography and international migration and current visiting professor at the Central European University and Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria.

Salvatore Petronella, Strategic Advisor, Labor Mobility Partnerships (LaMP) Europe.

Gisela Thäter,Senior Legal Adviser, UNHCR.

Maria van Berlekom, Head of Unit, Unit for Global Environmental Cooperation, Sida.

Maxine Leis, PhD student, Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University, Mistra Geopolitics Research School.

Moderator: Joakim Palme, Professor of political science at Uppsala University and Chairman of Delmi.

Maxine Leis

Maxine Leis is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University where she previously completed her Master’s degree. The focus of her project lies on measuring and forecasting population displacement as a function of different forms of violent conflict, climate extremes and natural hazards. The work is related to the Work Package 4, Foresight Capabilities and Emerging technologies and her thesis will be part of project 4.3 “Applying AI methodologies to forecast climate related emergencies and population displacement”.

News text written by Ana Calvo, Communications Assistant. Edited by Ylva Rylander, Communications Officer for Mistra Geopolitics at SEI.