While many people migrate because of social and economic inequalities, forced migration is caused by political conflicts, lack of access to food and—increasingly—a lack of access to water.
Research shows that climate change is making many of these issues worse. Recent research suggests that, for 30 million people who experience displacement (having to move due to floods and storms, wildfires, landslides, extreme temperatures and drought), decisions to migrate are directly affected by climate annually.
While some migration is across borders, most movement is internal displacement (within countries). Internal movement puts strain on resources in complicated ways. People tend to move from previously green rural areas into cities, which are considered more stable and resourceful. But overpopulation results in strained resources. That links to conflict and further international migration. My research argues that we need to stop seeing migration and climate as separate issues and that games are an excellent tool for accomplishing this.
We. The Refugees: Ticket to Europe.
While it's challenging to comprehend these issues when they are not a direct part of your life, video game designers are finding new ways to make the lives of forced migrants easier to relate to.
