Roman Hoffmann from the Institute of Demography at the Academy of Science (ÖAW) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research, together with more than 30 colleagues, has investigated the effects and the interaction between environmental change, socio-political factors and migration. They not only looked at the primary changes caused by global warming, but also at what can happen when extreme weather events occur.

Clear results have shown, for example, that migration is not always preferred in Western countries. Migration often occurs within one’s own country or continent. But migration through states is also conceivable. The economic and financial relief is often the goal of this decision. Many would even return to their home town or country. This theory becomes particularly clear when there is little prosperity. After all, lack of prosperity is also the result of a lack of resources.

Population groups that live from agriculture or are exposed to strong environmental influences are often affected. These population groups see no way to protect themselves from external influences and migrate across borders. According to Hoffmann, the countries that are most affected are those that are most vulnerable: Latin America and the Caribbean, several sub-Saharan African countries, particularly in the Sahel and East Africa, and West, South and Southeast Asia. The population there is “particularly at risk”.