While minimizing global warming is critical to limiting the harm of climate change, humanity must simultaneously learn to adapt. Migration is one adaptation to climate change. As more places become unlivable, dislocations and relocations will become much more common and necessary. While climate change impacts everyone, climate-related displacement does not affect all populations equally: people who are displaced by climate disasters often face other structural challenges as well, such as economic marginalization, and/or racial or ethnic discrimination.

Unbound Philanthropy’s long-term vision for climate and migrant justice is to make climate-related migration a choice, rather than an option of last resort. It is essential to support adaptation in place and the freedom of people to stay in their homes, where it is possible and they choose to do so. It is however also key to establish safe, regular, and equitable migration pathways that can bring great opportunities not just to migrants but also to the places they go to, as well as their place of origin. And it is crucial to strengthen belonging – building welcoming communities where all people can fully participate in social, civic, and economic life.

Migration has always been part of human existence. Racism, bigotry, and “othering” have also been present throughout. Today, some people seek to divide our societies, and to exploit people’s anxieties and suffering. Simultaneously, there is an unprecedented coalescing around a “larger us”, and a yearning and propensity for universal compassion, caring, and connection.

When communities proactively plan to make room for their new neighbors, it enables everyone in these communities to thrive. By equipping communities to harness migration as a positive tool for resilience, we make possible a vision for a just and vibrant society where we can all flourish.