Thelma Akyea’s research while affiliated with Western University and other places

Discussions on the climate change–human mobility nexus have received intense academic and policy attention. Although there is evidence that some people decide to stay put amidst climate hazards, research on climate change and immobility remains limited, particularly in relation to Africa. To address this scholarly gap, this study conducted 36 qualitative in-depth interviews to examine voluntary immobility amidst climate-induced recurrent coastal flooding in three Ghanaian coastal communities. Findings revealed three reasons for immobility: place attachment, livelihood opportunities, and low mobility prospects. We argue that understanding voluntary immobility in the context of climate change requires a better appreciation of interconnected factors that cause people to stay put. This study adds to scholarship on voluntary immobility in Africa by highlighting participants’ strong ties to their environment, reliance on their environment for survival, and limited mobility options. Based on the findings, as well as the fact that the reviewed policy frameworks at the national level (Ghana) pay scant attention to climate hazards, particularly coastal flooding and immobile populations, the Ghanaian government should develop bottom-up policies that incorporate local understandings of voluntary immobility in order to protect social connections, livelihoods, and culture.

Academics and policymakers have been paying close attention to the impact of climate change on migration in recent years. This phenomenon piqued interest because the factors driving environmentally induced migration are complex and manifold. Noticeably, there has been considerable scholarship on climate change and migration in Africa. However, there has not been a concerted effort to periodically review the existing literature to systematically document the state of scholarship. Using a standardized systematic review procedures to analyze 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2022, we found that climate change impacts migration in many complex and multilayered forms. Beyond what has already been established in the literature on climate-related migration such as environmental effects on migration; migration as an adaptation strategy; and the influence of environmental and non-environmental factors on migration; we also found that (1) studies on climate-induced migration in Africa intensely focused on SSA, suggesting an uneven study of the region, (2) heavily affected people tend to be immobile, and (3) young people have high migration intentions due to harsh climate insecurities. These findings require urgent government and stakeholder attention. Specifically, there is a need for scholarship to interrogate the climate change–immobility nexus in order to design appropriate in situ or ex situ adaptation strategies to support lives and livelihoods.