Speech by Ibrahim Özdemir at the international conference “Changing Course. Migrants and Europe”
Last update: 2023-12-13 14:57:35
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, I stand before you to discuss a critical and multifaceted topic - the role of migration in addressing economic and ecological crises. Migration has assumed new significance in an era marked by unprecedented challenges from climate change, economic disparities, and the growing human population. Migration, often viewed through the narrow lens of political discourse, is, in fact, a complex and dynamic process that can play a pivotal role in mitigating the economic and ecological crises that confront our world.
Understanding the Scope of Economic and Ecological Crises
Before delving into the role of migration, let us first comprehend the gravity of the crises we face today. On one hand, we are grappling with economic disparities that perpetuate poverty, deprive individuals of opportunities, and worsen social inequality. On the other hand, the ecological crisis, primarily driven by climate change, threatens the very existence of life on our planet. Rising global temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss are just a few manifestations of this crisis.
Economic disparities and ecological degradation are intrinsically linked. The poorest communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, while the affluent few are more likely to contribute to climate change through consumption and wasteful practices. This vicious cycle calls for a comprehensive response transcending borders and national interests.
All these remind me of the call of Eco-feminist philosopher Joanna Macy a decade ago, who warned us in her book Active Hope with the following words:
“Dangerous,” “frightening,” “out of control” — as we go around the room, people are calling out the word or phrase that comes to mind as they complete this sentence: “When I consider the condition of our world, I think things are getting…”
Over the last few decades, we’ve done this process with tens of thousands of people in a wide range of settings. The responses we hear echo survey findings that show high levels of alarm about the future we’re heading into.
Such widespread anxiety is well-founded. As our world heats up, deserts expand, and extreme weather events become more common. Human population and consumption are increasing at the same time as essential resources, such as freshwater, fish stocks, topsoil, and oil reserves, are in decline.”
After a decade, we can add this global phenomenon, the flood of migration from the global South to the North. The Guardian outlined it as “The century of climate migration: why we need to plan for the great upheaval” in 2020:
A great upheaval is coming. Climate-driven movement of people is adding to a massive migration already underway to the world’s cities. The number of migrants has doubled globally over the past decade, and the issue of what to do about rapidly increasing populations of displaced people will only become greater and more urgent. To survive climate breakdown will require a planned and deliberate migration of a kind humanity has never before undertaken. (https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/aug/18/century-climate-crisis-migration-why-we-need-plan-great-upheaval)
When we have been trying to understand this global challenge and come up with creative and constructive solutions, politicians still spend trillions of dollars on making war.
Nobel Prize–winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and colleague Linda Bilmes calculated that the United States had spent more than $3 trillion on the war in Iraq. It is time for decision-makers to listen and cooperate with the voice of academia and all concerned parties to find a more humane solution to the problem.
The Intersection of Migration and Economic Crises
Economic factors have historically driven both internal and international migration. People have migrated in search of better livelihoods, improved working conditions, and access to resources. In the face of financial crises, such as recessions or job shortages, individuals often migrate to regions or countries with more robust economic opportunities. This phenomenon has both positive and negative implications.
Migration can help alleviate economic crises by redistributing the global workforce. Migrants can fill labor gaps in host countries, contribute to economic growth, and enhance productivity. This not only benefits migrants but also supports the financial stability and development of receiving regions. For instance, the influx of skilled migrants into the technology sector has driven Silicon Valley's success.
However, it is essential to acknowledge that migration can also impair economic disparities. Migrants often leave economically vulnerable communities, leading to a “brain drain” in their home countries. This can perpetuate a cycle of underdevelopment and hinder the economic prospects of nations struggling to retain their skilled workforce.
Migration as an Adaptive Response to Ecological Crises
Migration also plays a pivotal role in responding to ecological crises, particularly climate change. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changing agricultural patterns force vulnerable populations to migrate from their homes. This movement, often called “climate migration” or “environmental migration,” is projected to increase in the coming decades.
For example, low-lying coastal communities are displaced due to sea-level rise. As entire regions become uninhabitable, people must seek refuge in more stable environments. While this migration may alleviate immediate threats, it raises ethical, legal, and logistical challenges for migrants and host communities.
Additionally, the ecological crises themselves can be exacerbated by migration. As displaced populations seek new areas for settlement, they may contribute to deforestation, resource depletion, and urban sprawl, putting additional pressure on already fragile ecosystems.
Therefore, “this explosive planetary drama demands a dynamic human response. We must help people move from danger and poverty to safety and comfort – to build a more resilient global society for everyone’s benefit.”
The Role of Policy and International Cooperation
Given the complex interplay of migration, economic crises, and ecological challenges, it is evident that a coordinated and holistic approach is necessary. Policy measures at both national and international levels are crucial to managing migration to maximize its benefits while mitigating its adverse effects.
- Protection of Vulnerable Populations: Nations should develop comprehensive policies to protect and support vulnerable migrants, including those displaced by environmental factors. This involves recognizing the legal status of climate refugees and providing humanitarian aid and resettlement assistance.
- Climate Resilience and Mitigation: Addressing the ecological crisis must be a global priority. Investment in climate resilience measures, such as coastal defenses and drought-resistant agriculture, can reduce the need for forced migration. Furthermore, international cooperation is essential to curb greenhouse gas emissions and limit the extent of climate change.
- Labor Mobility and Skill Development: Policies promoting labor mobility and skill development can ensure that economic migration benefits sending and receiving countries. Bilateral agreements that facilitate the temporary movement of workers can be mutually advantageous.
- Global Economic Reforms: Addressing economic disparities requires reforms at the international level. This includes measures to reduce income inequality, regulate financial markets, and provide opportunities for economic development in less privileged regions.
- Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Practices: Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity is vital in the face of ecological crises. Efforts to conserve natural resources and promote sustainable practices can reduce the displacement of communities dependent on these resources.
- Data Collection and Research: Governments and international organizations should invest in research and data collection to better understand migration dynamics, economic crises, and ecological challenges. This information can inform evidence-based policies and interventions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we should remember that The UN International Organization for Migration has cited estimates of as many as 1 billion environmental migrants in the next 30 years, while more recent projections point to 1.2 billion by 2050 and 1.4 billion by 2060. After 2050, that figure is expected to soar as the world heats further and the global population rises to its predicted peak in the mid-2060s.
The question for humanity becomes: what does a sustainable world look like?
We must develop an entirely new way of feeding, fuelling, and maintaining our lifestyles while reducing atmospheric carbon levels. We must live in denser concentrations in fewer cities while reducing the associated risks of crowded populations, including power outages, sanitation problems, overheating, pollution, and infectious diseases.
However, migration may offer potential solutions when approached with a holistic and cooperative mindset. To address these crises effectively, we must recognize nations' shared responsibility and the importance of international cooperation. Equity, sustainability, and empathy principles should guide our response to these crises. Only through concerted efforts at all levels can we harness the potential of migration to mitigate economic disparities, adapt to ecological challenges, and build a more just and resilient world for current and future generations.
I agree with Joanne Macy: “Whatever situation we face, we can choose our response. When facing overwhelming challenges, we might feel that our actions don’t count for much. Yet the kind of responses we make, and the degree to which we believe they count, are shaped by the way we think and feel about hope.”
Then she reminds us that there are two definitions of hope, passive and active. While “passive hope is about waiting for external agencies to bring about what we desire. Active Hope is about becoming active participants in bringing about what we hope for.”
I do believe that this conference is a good example of active hope. Thank you, indeed.