Beyond climate change: challenges and gaps in the study of environmental migration

Abstract

This article provides a theoretical and conceptual analysis of migration associated with environmental factors from a critical perspective, highlighting the lack of conceptual and methodological consensus in studies on the subject. Although migration is recognized as a multi-causal phenomenon, the environmental dimension has historically been underestimated in theoretical analyses, with economic and social factors taking precedence. The author notes that research has tended to focus on extreme weather events while overlooking the effects of progressive environmental degradation and socio-environmental conflicts, thereby limiting a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. Furthermore, the article discusses the fragmentation of terminology used to describe this form of mobility, revealing a disconnect between climate-focused and anthropocentric approaches. It is argued that migration can serve as an adaptation or survival strategy in the face of adverse environments and that the lack of locally disaggregated data hinders the development of more precise analytical models. Finally, the author advocates for a more inclusive definition that integrates both the natural and anthropogenic dimensions of the phenomenon, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address environmental migration in all its complexity.