The social consequences of new migrations. The case of environmental migrants
The movement of populations following environmental events is not a new phenomenon but,
compared to the past, the altering of ecosystems by man has become greater and faster, with
significant direct and indirect effects: “the social consequences of environmental processes is
one of the greatest challenges facing the international community in the coming years”
(Bogumil, 2012, p.5) above all the management of migratory flows for the North and the
mitigation of natural risks for the South (Castles, 2002).
The terms used to define anyone who moves due to climatic or environmental changes are
numerous and there is still no agreement on a common definition: climate or environmental
refugees, eco-immigrants, eco-refugees or, according to studies promoted by the European
Union or international organisations, environmentally induced migrations, forced migrations
due to environmental causes, climate migrants or environmentally displaced persons1