Migrants with Dignity: Impacts of Climate Change-Related Disasters and Adaptation Strategies on the U.S. Filipino Migrant Community

Abstract

Climate change disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable and marginalized populations around the world. Some communities use migration as an adaptation measure in order to cope with or respond to climate change-related disasters. However, the migrant community is often left out of conversations around climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. This thesis examines the intersection between climate change-related disasters and migration adaptation strategies, specifically focusing on how the Filipino migrant community in the United States is impacted. By applying a climate justice perspective, this thesis critiques the social vulnerability framework, stating that it does not properly address the needs of the migrant community. The findings show that the U.S. government lacks substantial implementation of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies. Current climate change policy fails to consider the U.S. Filipino migrant community. By acknowledging migration as adaptation, climate migration can be integrated into more holistic climate change policies.