IB Geography 1.2.3 Forced Migration and Internal Displacement Notes

Displacement is a Complex Issue With Far-Reaching Causes and Consequences

1. Displacement is therefore closely linked to the concept of forced migration.
2. This phenom affects millions of people worldwide and has far-reaching social, economic, and environmental consequences.

Push Factors: Why People Are Forced to Leave

1. Environmental Causes

1. Drought and Desertification: Drought leads to water scarcity, crop failures, and food insecurity, making it impossible for communities to sustain their livelihoods.
   1. Desertification degrades arable land, reducing its productivity and forcing agricultural communities to migrate.
2. Flooding and Rising Sea Levels: Climate change exacerbates flooding and sea-level rise, threatening low-lying areas.
   1. Pacific island nations like Kiribati face long-term displacement due to rising seas.
3. Geophysical Disasters: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis destroy homes and infrastructure, forcing people to flee.
4. Wildfires: Increasingly common and severe wildfires displace thousands annually.

2. Political Causes

1. War and Conflict: Armed conflicts destroy homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, creating unsafe living conditions.
   1. Fear of violence and persecution forces individuals and families to flee.
2. Persecution and Instability: Ethnic, religious, or political persecution drives people to seek safety elsewhere.
   1. Political instability often results in systemic violence or collapse of governance, making it unsafe to remain.

3. Socio-Economic Causes: Poverty and Food Insecurity

1. Economic instability and a lack of basic resources force many to migrate.
   1. Poverty: Extreme poverty in rural areas limits access to education, healthcare, and stable livelihoods, pushing families to migrate.
   2. Food Insecurity: Crop failures, market disruptions, and high food prices force people to move in search of sustenance.