Supervisors info:
Λυδία Αβράμη, Μεταδιδακτορική Ερευνήτρια, Τμήμα Πολιτικής Επιστήμης και Δημόσιας Διοίκησης, ΕΚΠΑ.
Εμμανουέλα Δούση, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Πολιτικής Επιστήμης και Δημόσιας Διοίκησης, ΕΚΠΑ.
Summary:
This dissertation discusses the potential consequences of various forms of environmental degradation on migration, focusing on the Mediterranean basin. Building on various case studies, it examines different forms of rapid- and slow- onset change in the environment, such as man-made catastrophes, aridity or flooding, as extremely potent push factors for migration. It evaluates the vulnerability of countries in North Africa and the Middle East, based on projected climate change by 2030 and 2050. Environmental degradation is considered a major cause of conflict in these areas, and this research proposes it may be accelerated by other prevalent problems, such as overpopulation and poverty, associated with various North African and Middle Eastern countries. The approach of the EU on the matter is discussed, taking into consideration the current protection of environmental migrants, EU-funded research programmes and EU-funded development initiatives aimed at promoting resilience in these countries. Greece, in particular, is examined as a potential country of first arrival for millions of environmental refugees, aiming to reach EU borders, and is found to still be lacking the means to deal with major waves of migration, despite evident improvements after the 2014-2015 migration crisis. The dissertation concludes that, under the current projections, environmental degradation may create up to 70 million new environmental migrants, until 2050, between Africa and the Middle East, many of which may try to settle in the EU.
Keywords:
Environment, migration, Mediterranean, EU, Africa, Middle East
