Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Weather Shocks and Migration in Nepal

Research shows that environmental shocks can influence migration. However, studies vary widely in the shocks and type of migration measured, the context, and the strength and direction of environmental effects. In addition, existing theories provide opposing predictions for this relationship. There is a clear need for further theoretical development in the climate-migration literature. This study, in rural Nepal, examines four types of weather shocks, over various time frames, on four types of migration. Results suggest that the most substantial influence of weather shocks is not in a wholesale increase or decrease in migration. Instead, weather shocks are related to changes in the type of migration used, resulting in less long-term and more short-term migrations in the population. We use the Ready-Willing-and-Able perspective to make sense of these patterns.