Resettlement of millions required in the coming century

Resettlement of millions of people will be inevitable in the years to come, with some resettlement projects already underway in Vietnam, Mozambique, Alaska, Inner Mongolia and the South Pacific.

With temperatures set to rise on average by as much as four degrees this century, "resettlement would become virtually unavoidable in some regions of the world," according to the study published in Science by researchers at The Earth Institute at Columbia University in New York.

Warming is likely to cause problems with water availability, productivity of agriculture, sea level rise and ecosystem damage. This in turn will impact where humanity can survive.

The problems associated with resettlement have been well documented. Projects such as the Three Gorges Dam have caused widespread condemnation of the authorities for the manner in which the people were moved. Some being relocated many miles from their original homes and providing very little compensation.

With recent developments in the South Pacific Islands, where water shortages due to drought and rising sea level have struck the local populations, it is essential to develop a strategy that benefits (or at least is equitable) for all parties. Steps like local level consultation are especially important.

This is a serious future problem, which will only get worse with increasing climatic change. Relocation therefore has to be considered seriously alongside other adaptation measures.