Climate Adaptation

A recent call for papers on climate change and human displacement poses the following interesting questions:

• What is the likely scale and impact of displacement as a result of climate change? Does debate over numbers of those likely to be affected help or hinder the development of preparedness, preventive and response strategies?
• How can risk reduction and resilience building become integral to humanitarian agencies’ programming and planning? What has been the impact of the Hyogo Framework of Action?
• What are the key ‘tipping points’ that trigger displacement rather than adaptation? What are the push and pull factors?
• How will the impact vary – in terms of migration, adaptation and response – depending on whether a crisis is of slow or rapid onset?
• Are there examples of situations where an earlier intervention might have prevented conflict and/or displacement?
• How can the international community monitor and respond to catastrophes in the making?
• What are the principles by which policymakers should respond to the displacement of this new category of ‘refugee’?
• Will the definition of ‘refugee’, the concept of protection and notions of national sovereignty need to change?
• Should there be a new Protocol to include this new category of displacement?
• Should UNHCR be given responsibility for this new type of ‘refugee’ or is there a need for a new organisation with a specific mandate?
• Who should be responsible for ensuring the protection and resettlement of those displaced by climate change? Who should pay?
• Are there replicable examples of resilience, adaptation and coping strategies?
• Can governments and the international community help local communities resolve conflicts over natural resources and boost adaptive capacities?
• What is the role of the media in generating awareness and educating people – and, conversely, in contributing to fears about mass migration?
• How can we promote better communication and collaboration between communities of ecologists, demographers, sociologists, economists and relief and development workers?

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