The Role of Climate Strain in Population Redistribution: Migration Streams in Contemporary Mexico

• In Event: 231 - Section on Sociology of Population Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 08. Demographic Perspectives on Critical Social Issues Facing U.S. and Non-U.S. Populations

Abstract

Between 2005 and 2010, 6.3 million migrants moved domestically within Mexico. Another 1.4 million individuals left Mexico to move to the U.S. Although substantial research has shed light on the socioeconomic context of Mexican migration, less is known about migration's environmental correlates. Yet recent IPCC climate projections suggest higher temperatures and lower rainfall in the future. Combined, these climate patterns and the dynamics of Mexican migration offer important motivations for greater nuance within research on the environmental aspects of Mexican migration. We link 2010 Census data with municipal-level rainfall and temperature information to examine the environmental dimensions of internal and international migration streams.

Authors

• Lori M. Hunter, University of Colorado, Boulder

• Daniel Hunter Simon, University of Colorado at Boulder

• Fernando Riosmena

• Stefan Leyk, University of Colorado Boulder