Local perceptions of climate change impacts and migration patterns in Malé, Maldives

• DOI: 10.1111/geoj.12177
• Publication Date: 2016-07-07T08:52:55Z
• Authors: Robert Stojanov; Barbora Duží; Ilan Kelman; Daniel Němec; David Procházka
• Keywords: Environmental change

For the last few decades, Maldives has been seen as being at forefront of addressing climate change impacts. The low elevation islands makes them vulnerable to slow‐onset hazards, such coastal erosion, sea‐level rise, salinity intrusion, and in monsoon patterns hence rainfall. Consequently, migration long discussed an adaptation strategy for population. This study covers outcomes from our field research conducted among islanders Malé, capital Maldives, 2013. It contributes empirical evidence toward understanding complex relations environmental challenges, change, migration. We set up two main questions. first question explored islanders' perceptions impacts climatic variability recent years possible future change. second probed whether out‐migration might be considered were willing move outside due projected Malé nearby residential islands, using quantitative questionnaires with local respondents ( N =347). Our results suggest that, besides a actually experienced rise are perceived one key factors affecting Maldivian society livelihoods. More than 50% perceive serious challenge national level they accept that other countries potential option. Conversely, individual perspective, is not by population their own important challenges. reason many – cultural, religious, economic social play role decisionmaking about migrating or not.