Leading climate change professor contributes to Government report on Migration and Global Environmental Change
Release Date 20 October 2011
Professor Nigel Arnell, Director of the University of Reading's Walker Institute for Climate System Research, is part of the lead expert group for the Foresight report on Migration and Environmental Change, published today.
The report reveals that "the major challenges associated with migration and environmental change have been underestimated. By focusing solely on people who might leave vulnerable areas due to environmental change, we risk neglecting those who will be ‘trapped' and those who will actually move towards danger".
During the report's two-year preparation, Professor Arnell has been part of the expert group, focusing particularly on climate change over the coming decades and the impacts this might have. Drought, flooding and water availability are highlighted throughout the report as key impacts directly and indirectly affecting migration patterns.
Professor Arnell is Director of the Walker Institute for Climate System Research at the University of Reading. The Institute aims to improve understanding and prediction of our changing climate and its impacts over seasons, decades and beyond, across a range of applications. www.walker-institute.ac.uk
The UK Government Foresight Programme was set up to use the latest scientific and other evidence combined with futures analysis to tackle complex issues and help policymakers make decisions affecting our future. The programme reports directly to the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and the Cabinet Office. It is a part of the Government Office for Science within the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
For executive summary of the report, please see: