Samoa: Exploring the Linkages Between Climate Change and Population Movements
Date
Authors
Flores-Palacios, Ximena
Supervisor
Fairbairn-Dunlop, Peggy
Boon Nanai, Juliet
Item type
Thesis
Degree name
Doctor of Philosophy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Auckland University of Technology
Abstract
This Samoan study explores people’s experiences and understandings of climate change, including whether and how climate-related factors have influenced internal and international mobility patterns in the last 30 years. This interdisciplinary village and family-based study combined a Samoan worldview which acknowledges the place of traditional knowledge, values, beliefs and practices in people’s responses to climate change, and Western-based perspectives to set the knowledge base. Findings were: (a) that family resilience in dealing with the effects of climate change was grounded in fa’a Samoa norms including access to customary land and reciprocity, (b) that mobility has become an integral adaptation strategy as seen in relocation from coastal areas to inland customary lands, temporary and permanent migration to the capital, and overseas migration, and (c) that climate change effects have exacerbated differences among groups. Those with limited access to resources and support systems have fewer adaptation options and are less able to use mobility as an adaptive mechanism. The main implication for policy design is that the voices of people affected by climate change must be incorporated in both research and policy. While this may serve a political purpose, axiomatic also is that the voices carry considerable knowledge.Description
Keywords
Climate change, Migration, Environmental migration, Climate-induced migration, Forced migration, Climate displacement, Displacement and relocation linked to climate change, Cross-border migration due to climate change, Environmental migrants, Climate refugees, Climate justice, Traditional knowledge, Community-based adaptation to climate change, Pacific island countries, Pacific island countries and territories, Samoa