Study: Few climate refugees leave their countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh, several West African, South East Asian and Central

American countries may become future international migration hotspots.
08/12/2009 16:00 - The number of people affected by natural disasters has more than doubled in recent years. However, fears that millions of poor people will migrate to rich countries as a result of climate change has been greatly overstated, a new study from the International Organization for Migration shows.

The study, which was released on the second day of the climate change conference in Copenhagen, estimates that between 25 million and one billion people could be driven from their homes over the next four decades, but only few of these "climate refugees" would be able to leave their countries due to lacking the means and the ability to travel to wealthier places, Reuters reports.

"In general, countries expect to manage environmental migration internally, with the exception of small island states that in some cases have already led to islands disappearing under water, forcing international migration," the reports states.

Potential future hotspots for international migration are also identified. These are countries which have high emigration rates, face enormous socio-economic challenges, and which experience significant slow-onset climate-related disasters of which have an impact on issues such as food security. They include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, most of Central America, several West African and South East Asian countries, amongst others.

The study emphasizes that the persistent lack of data on migration and climate change/environmental degradation is a major obstacle in having a clearer picture on the issue and in planning ahead.

Da United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change