Climate Change and Migration from the South Pacific - free lecture

It is often said that climate change imperils the small islands of the Pacific Ocean, and will drive waves of refugees towards Australia. This lecture presents and then interrogates this popular narrative about climate change and migration from the Pacific Islands. It draws on a range of theories and evidence to make sense of the issue, arguing that while much of the popular narrative is theoretically and empirically unsubstantiated, there are nevertheless some reasons for concern. A more constructive way of understanding the issue is offered, and some ways forward for Australian policy are proposed.

Jon is a political geographer whose research investigates the impacts of and responses to environmental change on social systems, with a focus on risks to human security, hunger, conflict, and water stress. He has been conducting research on the social and institutional dimensions of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change since 2000. This has included field based research in the South Pacific, China, and Timor-Leste.

Registrations requested at website listed.