The current period in world history is a turbulent and uncertain one. Developed nations that could once be counted on to foster global stability are stressed, and relationships within NATO, the EU, and the UN are beginning to show increased strain. Despite pledges to reduce fossil fuel emissions globally, the world community lacks an organized response to climate change. Rising seas, longer and drier droughts, more extreme fire seasons, desertification, failing crops, unseasonably warm equatorial zones, and unpredictable weather patterns are just a few of the most visible impacts that currently impact the earth. These impacts force governments and people to react drastically in order to adapt to a warming and rapidly populating world. Burgeoning urbanization and population growth in world’s poorest countries further strains the environment and existing social infrastructure. In these places, there often exists a legacy of colonialism, imperialism, and predatory capitalism, along with religious fundamentalism that can compel desperate individuals to turn to acts of terror. Faced with these challenges, in addition to local armed conflicts, many millions of people seek refuge in the relative stability of the West. In response to the massive influx of people, Western policy makers have turned to increased border militarization, stringent immigration and citizenship laws, and efforts to forcibly assimilate foreign populations into their countries. This presentation begins by analyzing climate change in a contemporary setting as an increasing threat to global stability, and how climate change can exacerbate existing conditions that can lead to desperation and migration. It then examines mass movements of refugees and immigrants and the political response by developed powers to those mass movements, and the implications and consequences of those policies today.
