Exploring migration decision-making and agricultural adaptation in the context of climate change:A systematic review

This study presents a novel analysis of migration responses to climate change by agricultural households in middle- and low-income countries. We conduct a systematic review of 81 quantitative and qualitative studies, applying the New Economics of Labor Migration (NELM) theory and insights from the development economics literature to understand the link between access to in situ agricultural adaptation measures and migration choices. Our findings indicate significant variability in this relationship across different scales of farming operations, including large, medium, small, and landless farmers. We also identify several local contextual factors—such as access to credit, social structures, social fractionalization, conflicts, and migrant networks—that intricately influence this association. Our review departs from previous literature by providing a unique theoretical perspective on the diverse evidence surrounding migration and climate change. We propose a conceptual framework to better understand migration responses in less-developed countries and pinpoint policy gaps that limit agricultural households’ ability to adapt to climate change. Finally, we highlight the critical need for future research to examine the role of local contextual factors, including social networks, gender norms, and conflict risks, in shaping migration responses to climate change.</p

Migration Transforms the Conditions for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

Migration is transformative both for those who move and for the places and economies of source and destination. The global stock of migrants, depending on definition, is approximately 750 million people: to assume that the world is static and that migration is a problem to be managed is inaccurate. Since migration is a major driving force of planetary and population health, we argue that it must be more directly incorporated into planning for sustainable development, with a focus on the extent and way in which the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) incorporate the transformative reality of migration

Migration transforms the conditions for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordEconomic and Social Research Council (ESRC

The migration-sustainability paradox: transformations in mobile worlds

This is the final version. Available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record. Migration represents a major transformation of the lives of those involved and has been transformative of societies and economies globally. Yet models of sustainability transformations do not effectively incorporate the movement of populations. There is an apparent migration-sustainability paradox: migration plays a role as a driver of unsustainability as part of economic globalisation, yet simultaneously represents a transformative phenomenon and potential force for sustainable development. We propose criteria by which migration represents an opportunity for sustainable development: increasing aggregate well-being; reduced inequality leading to diverse social benefits; and reduced aggregate environmental burden. We detail the dimensions of the transformative potential of migration and develop a generic framework for migration-sustainability linkages based on environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability, highlighting identity and social transformation dimensions of migration. Such a model overcomes the apparent paradox by explaining the role of societal mobility in achieving sustainable outcomes.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)European Research CouncilUniversity of Exeter European Network Fun

The Migration-Sustainability Paradox: Transformations in Mobile Worlds

Migration represents a major transformation of the lives of those involved and has been transformative of societies and economies globally. Yet models of sustainability transformations do not effectively incorporate the movement of populations. There is an apparent migration-sustainability paradox: migration plays a role as a driver of unsustainability as part of economic globalisation, yet simultaneously represents a transformative phenomenon and potential force for sustainable development. We propose criteria by which migration represents an opportunity for sustainable development: increasing aggregate well-being; reduced inequality leading to diverse social benefits; and reduced aggregate environmental burden. We detail the dimensions of the transformative potential of migration and develop a generic framework for migration-sustainability linkages based on environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability, highlighting identity and social transformation dimensions of migration. Such a model overcomes the apparent paradox by explaining the role of societal mobility in achieving sustainable outcomes

Understanding and using comparative healthcare information; the effect of the amount of information and consumer characteristics and skills

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Consumers are increasingly exposed to comparative healthcare information (information about the quality of different healthcare providers). Partly because of its complexity, the use of this information has been limited. The objective of this study was to examine how the amount of presented information influences the comprehension and use of comparative healthcare information when important consumer characteristics and skills are taken into account.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this randomized controlled experiment, comparative information on total hip or knee surgery was used as a test case. An online survey was distributed among 800 members of the NIVEL Insurants Panel and 76 hip- or knee surgery patients. Participants were assigned to one of four subgroups, who were shown 3, 7, 11 or 15 quality aspects of three hospitals. We conducted Kruskall-Wallis tests, Chi-square tests and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses to examine relationships between the amount of information and consumer characteristics and skills (literacy, numeracy, active choice behaviour) on one hand, and outcome measures related to effectively using information (comprehension, perceived usefulness of information, hospital choice, ease of making a choice) on the other hand.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>414 people (47%) participated. Regression analysis showed that the amount of information slightly influenced the comprehension and the perceived usefulness of comparative healthcare information. It did not affect consumers’ hospital choice and ease of making this choice. Consumer characteristics (especially age) and skills (especially literacy) were the most important factors affecting the comprehension of information and the ease of making a hospital choice. For the perceived usefulness of comparative information, active choice behaviour was the most influencing factor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The effects of the amount of information were not unambiguous. It remains unclear what the ideal amount of quality information to be presented would be. Reducing the amount of information will probably not automatically result in more effective use of comparative healthcare information by consumers. More important, consumer characteristics and skills appeared to be more influential factors contributing to information comprehension and use. Consequently, we would suggest that more emphasis on improving consumers’ skills is needed to enhance the use of comparative healthcare information.</p

Exploring migration decision-making and agricultural adaptation in the context of climate change:A systematic review

This study presents a novel analysis of migration responses to climate change by agricultural households in middle- and low-income countries. We conduct a systematic review of 81 quantitative and qualitative studies, applying the New Economics of Labor Migration (NELM) theory and insights from the development economics literature to understand the link between access to in situ agricultural adaptation measures and migration choices. Our findings indicate significant variability in this relationship across different scales of farming operations, including large, medium, small, and landless farmers. We also identify several local contextual factors—such as access to credit, social structures, social fractionalization, conflicts, and migrant networks—that intricately influence this association. Our review departs from previous literature by providing a unique theoretical perspective on the diverse evidence surrounding migration and climate change. We propose a conceptual framework to better understand migration responses in less-developed countries and pinpoint policy gaps that limit agricultural households’ ability to adapt to climate change. Finally, we highlight the critical need for future research to examine the role of local contextual factors, including social networks, gender norms, and conflict risks, in shaping migration responses to climate change.</p