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Climate Migrants: On the Move in a Warming World
Around the world, from US coastal towns to island nations of the Pacific and the deserts of Africa, people are in danger of losing their homes. Some have already fled. Others know they are running out of time. By 2050, at least 25 million people will be driven from their homes due to the effects of climate change.
Droughts, desertification, rising sea levels, melting permafrost, and severe storms are drastically redefining the planet’s landscape and leaving many places unable to support human populations. Although developing nations are especially vulnerable to the impacts of extreme climate shifts, ultimately, people in wealthy countries will also be forced to migrate. Experts expect Americans to move from drought-ravaged California, sea-swept Florida, and numerous other vulnerable areas to crowd into the few remaining safe havens.
Humans cannot stop climate change altogether. Yet leaders can minimize the damage by curbing carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change and by adapting communities to better withstand climate-related stresses. Even so, for many people, relocation is already a reality. How they adjust to their new homes—and how their new communities adjust to them—will set the stage for a future defined by a warming planet.
Droughts, desertification, rising sea levels, melting permafrost, and severe storms are drastically redefining the planet’s landscape and leaving many places unable to support human populations. Although developing nations are especially vulnerable to the impacts of extreme climate shifts, ultimately, people in wealthy countries will also be forced to migrate. Experts expect Americans to move from drought-ravaged California, sea-swept Florida, and numerous other vulnerable areas to crowd into the few remaining safe havens.
Humans cannot stop climate change altogether. Yet leaders can minimize the damage by curbing carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change and by adapting communities to better withstand climate-related stresses. Even so, for many people, relocation is already a reality. How they adjust to their new homes—and how their new communities adjust to them—will set the stage for a future defined by a warming planet.
88 pages, Library Binding
First published August 1, 2016
3 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca E. Hirsch
106 books59 followersRebecca E. Hirsch is a botanist-turned-writer and the author of more than 80 science and nature books for children. Her books have won a Riverby Award, a Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, a Green Earth Book Award Honor, and many starred reviews. www.rebeccahirsch.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 4, 2020
Even though I know climate change is causing people to move, I had no idea the enormity of it. This small book had so much information in it and was very concise and coherent.
There are towns in Alaska that are completely uprooting the town and moving elsewhere. A people in the Pacific Islands have purchased land on more solid ground because they believe they will have to move as the sea levels rise. Miami has floods even when it's not raining because it's built on limestone and water bubbles up from the ground.
We've known about the affects of greenhouse gases on the planet since the late 1850s. We should've BEEN trying to combat this since it started.
There was also mention in the book about how almost all countries don't recognize climate change as a reason for claiming asylum, so there may be many climate refugees in the future who aren't able to have the same protections that a person who claims asylum may have. They may be deported, but the place they came from won't exist anymore.
This covered a few reading challenges:
Book Riot Read Harder: Read a book about climate change
PopSugar: A book about or by a woman in STEM.
There are towns in Alaska that are completely uprooting the town and moving elsewhere. A people in the Pacific Islands have purchased land on more solid ground because they believe they will have to move as the sea levels rise. Miami has floods even when it's not raining because it's built on limestone and water bubbles up from the ground.
We've known about the affects of greenhouse gases on the planet since the late 1850s. We should've BEEN trying to combat this since it started.
There was also mention in the book about how almost all countries don't recognize climate change as a reason for claiming asylum, so there may be many climate refugees in the future who aren't able to have the same protections that a person who claims asylum may have. They may be deported, but the place they came from won't exist anymore.
This covered a few reading challenges:
Book Riot Read Harder: Read a book about climate change
PopSugar: A book about or by a woman in STEM.
December 8, 2016
Climate Migrants: On the Move in a Warming World by Rebecca Hirsch informs the audience about the effects climate change could have on many poorer countries. She tells us about how we can help slow down climate change.
Rebecca tells us about many different islands and countries that are on the most danger. Many of the countries that are developing are the ones taking the most of climate change even though the countries that are causing climate change are not being affected a lot. Most developing countries don't have the money to help their country. She also gives a ton of interesting facts about climate change and the effects it's having in some countries.
I would recommend this book to many people. I think everyone who believes climate change is real should read this book to further their knowledge of the subject. I also believe that people who don't think climate change is real should read this book too. It is really informative and I think it could change some people's mind.
Rebecca tells us about many different islands and countries that are on the most danger. Many of the countries that are developing are the ones taking the most of climate change even though the countries that are causing climate change are not being affected a lot. Most developing countries don't have the money to help their country. She also gives a ton of interesting facts about climate change and the effects it's having in some countries.
I would recommend this book to many people. I think everyone who believes climate change is real should read this book to further their knowledge of the subject. I also believe that people who don't think climate change is real should read this book too. It is really informative and I think it could change some people's mind.
April 8, 2018
"2015 was the hottest year on record for the planet. By 2015, thirteen of the hottest years on record have occurred since 2000. Climate change is like a speeding train. It has so much momentum that even slamming on the brakes won't instantly bring it to a stop." Climate change is real and is affecting the planet each minute of each day. Rebecca Hirsch has laid it all out, the history,the causes, the effects and the ways humans must learn to live with climate change.She outlines two main points: adapt and/or migrate.This is an important book for all. It is a slim book, not to be read quickly or lightly but to read slowly and discussed at length. Backmatter is throughout and helpful for directing readers to further sources on the topic.
March 11, 2018
Straightforward and clear while answering some common objections about climate change and the resultant affects.
Each section features stories of people already effected to drive home the human aspect.
If you actually read the numbers though... we're going to be in for a rough time. Something like 300 million to 2 billion displaced by 2100, and with less land to feed them in addition to the loss of protein from fishers. It won't be fun. (Fortunately? I'll be dead.)
Each section features stories of people already effected to drive home the human aspect.
If you actually read the numbers though... we're going to be in for a rough time. Something like 300 million to 2 billion displaced by 2100, and with less land to feed them in addition to the loss of protein from fishers. It won't be fun. (Fortunately? I'll be dead.)
February 23, 2019
Superb book for children to learn about global ramifications of climate change. Very valuable is the glossary, lists of websites, video and books to use in addition to a selected bibliography. Photos and charts are excellent. Every classroom should have a copy!
November 15, 2017
A simple book on those who have their lives torn asunder because of rising sea levels.
May 4, 2018
This book, written for youth, is elegantly designed, very informative, short, and has beautiful photographs. It's a valuable for youth or adults.
October 29, 2019
Great succinct read on the existence of climate change and its effects on migration! Really instilled a sense or urgency.
April 15, 2020
Serious, accurate and clear information.
April 29, 2020
Read Harder Challenge 2020 - Task 15 - Read a book about climate change.
This is a young adult book about climate change. The science was nicely explained in a way the non-scientist (me) could understand. What I really liked is the examples of places from which people will need to migrate because the land or its ability to sustain life are disappearing, and how this affects individuals. It made it a lot more personal and real to me.
I am also reading another book: Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore, an award winning book. I was really impressed with this book and made a few comments in my entry for it.
This is a young adult book about climate change. The science was nicely explained in a way the non-scientist (me) could understand. What I really liked is the examples of places from which people will need to migrate because the land or its ability to sustain life are disappearing, and how this affects individuals. It made it a lot more personal and real to me.
I am also reading another book: Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore, an award winning book. I was really impressed with this book and made a few comments in my entry for it.
September 25, 2016
In my mind climate change is an exceedingly important topic and we need more junior-non books that discuss it.
Hirsch's book had a lot of fascinating ideas. I especially appreciated the simple way she explained why climate change is occurring. I understood it better from her, than I have anywhere else.
Alas, though, I found my attention frequently wandering while reading. I wanted to love it, and become engrossed in the reading, because this topic is so vital to me, but I couldn't. It was rather boring and tedious many times. The opening story about the small village in Alaska seemed to go on and on and on. It was fascinating, but only at the beginning.
Anybody who has other junior-non suggestions for climate change, please send them my way!
Hirsch's book had a lot of fascinating ideas. I especially appreciated the simple way she explained why climate change is occurring. I understood it better from her, than I have anywhere else.
Alas, though, I found my attention frequently wandering while reading. I wanted to love it, and become engrossed in the reading, because this topic is so vital to me, but I couldn't. It was rather boring and tedious many times. The opening story about the small village in Alaska seemed to go on and on and on. It was fascinating, but only at the beginning.
Anybody who has other junior-non suggestions for climate change, please send them my way!
December 16, 2016
This book is clearly written and provides good examples of the different effects climate change has and will continue to enact on various cultures throughout the world.
Some issues discussed: warming permafrost, rising sea level, relocating or disappearing ecosystems, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, desertification, and all the human impacts that occur as a result.
Any class (MS/HS) studying immigration should have access to this book.
Back matter: Glossary, Source notes, Bibliography, Further information- books, video, and websites
Some issues discussed: warming permafrost, rising sea level, relocating or disappearing ecosystems, ocean acidification, extreme weather events, desertification, and all the human impacts that occur as a result.
Any class (MS/HS) studying immigration should have access to this book.
Back matter: Glossary, Source notes, Bibliography, Further information- books, video, and websites
June 6, 2016
Reviewed for professional publication.
March 27, 2017
Well-written and much needed information in today's classrooms.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews