According to researchers at Princeton University, a warming climate could cause an increase in the number of Mexicans crossing the border, due to rising temperatures that lead to a decrease in crop yields.
The study finds that for every 10 % of lost crop yields, another 2% of Mexicans are more likely to leave their native country. Data points out that there is a clear connection between climate change and immigration, at the same time that US policymakers are trying to grapple with both issues
The Princeton researchers, lead by Michael Oppenheimer, found that that rising temperatures affect crops through floods, droughts and storms. The study says, “Climate change is expected to cause mass human migration, including immigration across international borders.”
“It has been well established that farmers do tend to migrate when they are not doing so well,” stated Oppenheimer
Researchers used data from 1995 to 2005 and statistics on climate data and crop production. This data allowed the team to calculate a projected rate of migration.
The study estimates that by 2080, between 1.4 million and 6.7 million adult would seek to emigrate to the United States.
What an interesting read. Thanks for posting.
Do you think we are already seeing the effects?