00:00 "Economic factors are the main driving force of international migration rather than climate
00:05 change," research published in the journal Nature Human Behavior concluded that net migration
00:11 patterns around the world are actually more strongly linked with socioeconomic factors
00:16 than climate, reports SWNS.
00:19 The lead author of the study said, "Perhaps the most surprising finding from our study
00:23 is that when we look at the overall picture, social factors are more important than environmental
00:28 factors in explaining migration."
00:30 And regardless of the level of income involved, gross national income was the key factor in
00:35 explaining net migration in half of countries.
00:38 Eureka Alert says 58% of net negative migration occurred in areas with high environmental
00:44 stress and low capacity to adapt to changes.
00:48 Researchers call this "one of the biggest challenges of our times," stressing that areas
00:53 under environmental stress are the areas with lowest resilience, which means that they aren't
00:58 well equipped to cope with changes.
01:00 They added, "Decision makers should pay attention to the results of the study.
01:04 In their words, 'Rather focusing solely on border closures and combating migration, we
01:09 should work to support and empower individuals in economically disadvantaged countries.'
01:14 That would help reduce the drivers that compel people to migrate in search of better opportunities."
01:20 (upbeat music)
