Climate change is bound to be a driving factor for what some have called eco-migration (Reuveny,
2007). As droughts, storms and floods intensify as a result of climate change, entire populations will be forced
to migrate. How can countries prepare to address the ecological and social pressures associated with eco-
migration? How can the vulnerabilities facing immigrant populations, especially those who are unauthorized and
are thus disconnected from formal institutions, be reduced? What informal social networks operate in immigrant
communities and how might these help people’s ability to deal with disaster situations.
Sociological research is also needed on the question of what models of environmental governance might
be most effective in engaging and including vulnerable populations and their particular conditions and concerns
in efforts to address climate change. Another important research question (of practical importance) is how policies
for addressing climate change are experienced and received by various populations.
How can inclusion be accomplished at all levels of decision-making (needs assessment, planning,
implementation, enforcement and evaluation)? Sociologists’ experience conducting community-based
participatory research and participatory action research can help in identifying effective strategies for inclusion.
These methodologies can also be useful in identifying local-level indicators of environmental change and for
monitoring the locally-experienced, socially-mediated outcomes of climate change.
ReferencesCannon, Terry. 2002. “Gender and Climate Hazards in Bangladesh.” Gender and Development 10(2): 45-50.
Rashid, Sabina Faiz and Stephanie Michaud. 2000. “Female Adolescents and Their Sexuality: Notions of Honour,
Shame, Purity, and Pollution During the Floods.” Disasters 24(1):54-70.
Reuveny, Rafael. 2008. “Ecomigration and Violent Conflict: Case Studies and Public Policy Implications.”
Human Ecology 36(1): 1-13.
Roberts, J. Timmons. 2001. “Global Inequality and Climate Change.” Society and Natural Resources 14: 501-
509.
Roberts, J. Timmons and Bradley C. Parks. 2007. A Climate of Injustice: Global Inequality, North-South Politics,
and Climate Policy. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.