Climate Change, Vulnerability and Migration - Field Research

In this review of Climate Change, Vulnerability and Migration the focus is squarely on how environmental stress drives population movement in the Indian subcontinent, making it a useful resource for researchers and practitioners. The book draws on field research to document how floods, droughts, cyclones, cloudbursts, sea-level rise and declining crop productivity have become more frequent and undermined local food and livelihood security. Readers will find a clear argument that the socio-economically poor are the worst affected and often rely on migration and remittances as a survival strategy.

Key Features

• Field-based evidence: Detailed on-the-ground case studies demonstrate the link between extreme weather events and migration decisions in environmentally fragile zones.
• Range of climate impacts: The volume covers floods, droughts, cyclones, cloudbursts and sea-level rise, clarifying diverse environmental pathways to displacement.
• Focus on vulnerability: Essays emphasize how declining crop productivity and desertification erode livelihood security for poorer households.
• Remittances and adaptation: The book examines remittances as an important cushion that enhances adaptation capacity for families left behind.
• Regional emphasis: Concentrating on the Indian subcontinent gives the work geographic specificity valuable for policy and local planning audiences.

Who It's For

This volume is best suited to environmental and social scientists, policy makers, development practitioners and graduate students interested in the human dimensions of climate change in South Asia. The field research and case analysis provide practical insights for those working on migration policy, disaster risk reduction and rural livelihoods.

Readers seeking a general-audience introduction to climate science or a global survey of migration trends may find the book narrower in scope; it is strongest where it links specific local events and livelihood impacts to migration and remittance patterns.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Grounded field research gives empirical weight to claims about climate-driven migration.
• Clear emphasis on vulnerable groups highlights equity and policy implications for adaptation.
• Coverage of remittances offers a concrete lens on household-level coping and resilience.

Cons

• Focused geographic scope means it is less useful as a comparative global overview.

Specifications

Title	Climate Change, Vulnerability and Migration
Authors / Editors	S. Irudaya Rajan, R. B. Bhagat, Marina Faetenini
Coverage	Indian subcontinent; environmentally fragile zones
Main topics	Floods, droughts, cyclones, cloudbursts, sea-level rise, desertification
Key themes	Livelihood security, migration, remittances, adaptation
Approach	Field research and essay-based analysis

Our Verdict

Climate Change, Vulnerability and Migration is a focused, evidence-driven collection that is well worth reading for practitioners and researchers concerned with climate impacts on migration in South Asia. Its strength lies in linking local environmental change to household decisions and remittance flows, making it good value for those seeking policy-relevant, region-specific scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book use original fieldwork?
Yes, the volume draws on field research and case studies to document how extreme weather events influence migration choices.

Is the scope global?
No, the book concentrates on the Indian subcontinent and is strongest for readers interested in that regional context.

Who will benefit most from reading it?
Researchers, policy makers and development practitioners working on migration, livelihoods and climate adaptation in South Asia will gain the most practical insight.