Page 107 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Climate change-induced human mobility

human beings and the natural world, the process of Most of Southern Africa is classified as a semi-arid
de-emphasizing indigenous knowledge systems presents region with a high spatial variation in precipitation.
noteworthy perspectives for effectively addressing However, climatic conditions range from extremely arid
sustainable transformation and fostering resilience that regions in the southwest to humid subtropical regions
aligns with cultural norms and ecological rejuvenation. in the northeast (Spear et al., 2015). In its most recent
Climate change adaptation programs that are centered on report, the IPCC disclosed that the Southern African
Africa place indigenous peoples within the context of their Development Community region had experienced an
social, spiritual, and cultural frameworks. Nyong et al. increase in average temperature over the past several
(2007) note that the production of Afrocentric indigenous decades. During the same time frame, it has experienced
knowledge is important not only for building inclusive below-average precipitation and variations in the onset,
resilience but also for promoting alternative Afrocentric cessation, and intensity of rainfall. In addition, Southern
epistemologies for understanding and making sense of our Africa has experienced an increase in extreme rainfall
global reality. In this particular instance, the utilization events and the frequency of dry periods, resulting in
of Afrocentric theory serves to offer a perspective on the more severe droughts (IPCC, 2014; Jury, 2013). Forecasts
phenomenon of climate-induced human movement in indicate that more variable precipitation and a rise in the
Zimbabwe. The determinations of human migration are frequency and severity of extreme events such as droughts
shaped by the collective historical and cultural experiences and floods can be anticipated in the future (IPCC, 2014).
of indigenous populations. The occurrence of climatic Consequently, climate change has increased the mobility
disasters, whether they manifest gradually or abruptly, of people in Southern Africa. Mobility is essential for
can have a significant impact on the various drivers people to adapt to and contend with increasingly severe
of migration, including social, cultural, political, and climate impacts. Historically, millions of individuals,
economic factors. As a result, the capacity of individuals families, and entire communities have utilized relocation
to engage in movement may change. The effects of climate as a coping mechanism for climatic events and stresses.
change worsen and hasten these factors in intricate ways. This is especially true for farmers and pastoralists, whose
An increasing number of individuals may find themselves livelihoods rely significantly on natural resources that have
lacking the necessary resources to engage in migration, been impacted by climate change. In light of this, climate
resulting in their immobility or confinement in hazardous mobility refers to the movement of individuals in response
situations. Some individuals may feel forced to engage in to abrupt or gradual climate impacts. It occurs within
more frequent, extensive, or permanent migration to access and across national borders; involves varying degrees
natural resources and secure economic opportunities. of constraints, agency, and vulnerability; and includes
The Afrocentric principles, specifically historicity and both forced displacement and migration and voluntary
culture, are utilized throughout the paper to elucidate relocation. Climate mobility can be temporary, recurrent,
the factors that contribute to climate-induced migration. or permanent and occurs over various distances.
Afrocentricity affirms, rejuvenates, establishes, and sustains Pastoralists in north-western and north-central
the existence and experiences of African individuals and Namibia and the Kalahari Desert of Botswana have
communities concerning climate change and human employed seasonal migration as a coping strategy in
mobility in this context. response to rainfall variability in Botswana and Namibia.
Due to the arid climate, sandy soils, and savannah
1.2. Climate-induced mobilities in Southern Africa ecosystems, pastoral agriculture and livestock husbandry
The researcher applied the Afrocentricity tenet of are the primary sources of income (Spear et al., 2015).
historicity to dig relevant literature on climate-induced In the arid Kunene region of north-western Namibia,
mobility in Africa to obtain insight into how climate Ovahimba cattle farmers frequently relocate their livestock
change has affected people’s mobility decisions. Africa is in quest of better grazing. In addition, pastoralists in the
one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change and Kalahari region of Botswana use livestock mobility to
climate variability due to its vast semi-arid areas, high respond to variable precipitation (World Bank, 2013).
reliance on rainfed agriculture (only 5% of the cultivated Temporary migration as a means of subsistence is an
area is under irrigation, compared to the global average of essential characteristic of these pastoralists and exemplifies
21%), and low adaptive capacity (FAO, 2016; Tirivangasi an effective survival strategy. Zimbabwe, Mozambique,
et al., 2021b). Due to its high vulnerability, Africa will be Namibia, and South Africa were affected by the El Niño
more impacted by climate change than affluent nations and climate cycle, which decreased precipitation and increased
regions and those located at higher latitudes (Guillaumont temperatures in Southern Africa (Bilak et al., 2016). El
& Simonet, 2011). Niño is frequently accompanied by the opposite weather

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 101 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2983