Where to go? Migration and climate change response in West Africa

Leal Filho, Walter, Olaniyan, Olawale Festus and Nagle Alverio, Gabriela (2022) Where to go? Migration and climate change response in West Africa. Geoforum, 137. pp. 83-87. ISSN 0016-7185

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Abstract

While certain models predict tens of millions of people will be on the move in West Africa as a result of climate change, most existing studies tend to focus on regions that have comparatively less migration flows compared to this particular region. This article investigates the patterns and complex root causes of migration in West Africa. It shows that unlike some other places, involuntary migration of the region‘s vulnerable populations is mostly intraregional. It also presents the common migratory routes and concludes that long-term mitigation efforts need to be complemented with near-term adaptation options to increase the resilience of concerned communities and ultimately reduce forced migration. This article urges international researchers and concerned policymakers to focus on the challenges and solutions to climate change-induced and environmental related migration, especially in the West African region.