Challenging climate change and migration discourse: Different understandings of timescale and temporality in the Maldives. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arnall, Alex; Kothari, Uma
• Is Part Of: Global environmental change. Volume 31(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Climate change -- Migration -- Timescale -- Temporality -- Crisis -- Maldives; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Human ecology -- Periodicals; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Écologie humaine -- Périodiques; Homme -- Influence sur la nature -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Human ecology; Nature -- Effect of human beings on; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.01.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3780

Abstract

Highlights: We explore perceptions of climate change and migration in the Maldives. We examine differences between elite and non-elite perceptions. Many differences are based on variations in understanding of timescale and temporality. Many non-elites do not foresee a future climate change-related crisis in the Maldives. More dialogue is needed between elites and non-elites on climate change issues. Abstract: This article draws on ongoing research in the Maldives to explore differences between elite and non-elite perceptions of climate change and migration. It argues that, in addition to variations in perceptions based on diverse knowledge, priorities and agendas, there exists a more fundamental divergence based upon different understandings of the timescale of climate change and related ideas of urgency and crisis. Specifically, elites tend to focus on a distant future, which is generally abstracted from people's everyday lived realities, and to utilise the language of a climate change-induced migration 'crisis' in their discussions about impacts in a manner not envisaged by non-elites. The article concludes that, rather than unproblematically mapping global, external facing narratives wholesale onto ordinary people's lives and experiences, there needs to be more dialogue between elites and non-elites on climate change and migration issues. These perspectives should be integrated more effectively into the development of policy interventions designed to support people in adapting to the impacts of global environmental change.