Staying put in an era of climate change: The geographies, legalities, and public health implications of immobility

Abstract

In response to the proliferation of ‘climate migration’ discourses, researchers are exploring how climate related hazards affect immobile populations. This paper contributes to the conceptualisation of ‘environmental immobility’. Researchers from geography, public health, psychology, and law explore the climate change immobility nexus via three themes: 1. risk; 2. (mal)adaptation, and 3. resilience, protection, and vulnerability. The aim of this paper is to identify and discuss the key concepts and rationale for scholars and policymakers who consider both ‘voluntary’ and ‘involuntary’ immobility when researching and responding to the effects of climate change on human movement. The need is critical, as immobility is often underacknowledged as a desirable, pro-active, and practical response to environmental change, preventing large populations from being considered and included in policy, consultation and support processes.