(MINERVA) CLIMATE CHANGE MIGRATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR HOMELAND SECURITY
Abstract
The proposed project is a problem-focused, multi-method, multi-sample research program addressing climatic migrants and the possible implications of their migration for the nation’s homeland security. Our project will address this problem from the perspectives of four stakeholders: (1) potential migrants and refugees in locations particularly susceptible to natural disasters effected by global warming, namely: Mexico, Honduras, and the Philippines; (2) arrived climate migrants currently in the process of resettling or resettled in the United States, (3) members of the U.S. host community in regions likely to encounter an influx of climate migrants, and (4) resettlement officers from different U.S.- based NGOs who work with climate refugees and migrants. The proposed research addresses a problem likely to loom large on the world’s agenda throughout the 21st century. We approach it through a convergent methodology including qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, and experimental studies. These aim at understanding the specific, and often contrasting, concerns of the different populations likely impacted by climatically based migration. Our intention is to glean from the diverse body of data to be collected new understandings of the major socio-psychological impacts of climatic migration and translate them into concrete suggestions for policy and best practices pertinent to this issue. Thus, we propose a research plan based on three thrusts: Thrust 1 will consist of data collection in the three countries from which climatic immigration into the U.S. is anticipated as well as migrants already in the U.S.; Thrust 2 will consist of data collection from members of the hosting, U.S. community including (1) locals in regions assumed to constitute likely migration destinations for climate refugees, and (2) resettlement officers from U.S. based NGOs dedicated to helping migrants and refugees; Thrust 3 will comprise an integration of data from the two earlier thrusts, carrying out feedback sessions with the various stakeholders of the climate migration problem, and the drawing of conclusions and suggestions for relevant best practices and policy directions. Our work leverages on the present research from our prior MINERVA program and NSF supported studies of Syrian refugees in the Middle east and in Europe, while expanding the scope of the investigation and focusing it on the unique issue posed by the potential waves of migrants likely to seek refuge in the United States in the aftermath of calamities brought about by climate change.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210368
Entities
People
- Arie W. Kruglanski
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Maryland