Comparison of Human and Non-human Migration Governance Under Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change affects human and non-human migration patterns. The migration of people and other species have been studied in isolation, despite similarities and differences that can inform new policies for both. Human and non-human species have differential vulnerability to climate change, and migration is one adaptation strategy to reduce vulnerability. Current policy dialog does not fully acknowledge such shared characteristics but assumes equivalent responses across populations, focuses on traditional ‘in-situ’ biodiversity conservation and emphasizes the economic dimensions of human movement. We argue that recognition of migration as adaptation, with learning across migratory species, can inform new migration policies that recognize the multi-causal nature of human and non-human movement and include climate as a migration driver.