Framing climate change induced displacement: causes, consequences, and solutions

Shevat, Sydney Madison (2023) Framing climate change induced displacement: causes, consequences, and solutions. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Global temperatures are rising, leading to extreme weather phenomena all over the world, but especially in non-industrialized nations. These extreme weather events cause mass migration from countries that are being hit the hardest by climate change. Although climate displacement is discussed in some of the criminological literature on climate change and migration, climate change induced displacement (CCID) remains under-examined within criminology. To contribute to the criminological literature, I designed a qualitative research project to explore how representatives of climate organizations and migration organizations frame the causes, consequences, and solutions to climate displacement. In my analysis of these interviews, I found several interesting points of overlap between responses from representatives of climate organizations and those who work at migration organizations, such as a common lack of focus on climate displacement, a framing of climate displacement as the responsibility of nation-states and corporations, and the need to elevate migrant voices in the political and social arenas. I also consider how the information I gained from organization representatives connects to the criminological literature on climate change and mobility; interesting discoveries include the common focus on state-corporate crime as a cause of climate displacement, geopolitical conflicts leading to or following climate disasters, and change from below solutions. The conclusion features some of my key findings, areas for future research, and implications for social change, including the importance of public criminology for reframing climate displacement, and the value of elevating migrant voices to promote a greater understanding of the causes, consequences, and solutions of climate change induced displacement.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Climate change; Climate displacement; climate refugees; Displacement; migration; social movement
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Criminology and Criminal Justice
Date Deposited:	16 Oct 2025 16:47
Last Modified:	16 Oct 2025 16:47
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6211

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