Abstract
The book under review aims to demonstrate the complex interplay between environmental change and the aspiration to emigrate Morocco. It interrogates how environmental changes result in the initiation of migration aspirations. Migration has always existed, but recently, environmental changes have become a significant cause. To understand this process, it is essential to probe deeply as they are entangled with other socio-economic issues. The book examines the history of substantial Morocco–Belgium migration aspirations and trajectories to do this.
The book attempts to understand environmental change through diaspora and transnational perspectives and unravel dynamics by comparing a wide range of factors in two regions of Morocco, namely Tangier and Tinghir. Studying such linkage between migrant communities and areas of origin is a novel contribution, and according to the authors, helps capture various aspects related to migration dynamics. The study confirmed the main trends of environmental migration that those most in need of migration are unable to do so. Social inequities and people’s vulnerability to environmental change are identical to those who limit long-distance journeys. The case for migration to Belgium differs as well-established migrant networks, organized labor markets, and family reunification procedures exist. It also shapes people’s migration aspirations, which depend on the availability of legal frameworks.
Environmental migration is a contemporary topic as the impact of climate change is unprecedented. Due to the increased pressure of environmental migrants or refugees, there is a need for policies to protect vulnerable groups both at global and regional levels. Also, the effect of environmental change differs for various groups living within the same area. Political and social context, remittances, voluntary nature of migration, internal migration and displacement, and trapped or immobile population are also different. Similarly, gradual change may go unnoticed, while abrupt changes are noticed and may get disproportionate attention.
The book uses environmental change to analyze all aspects and forms of ecological changes that could encourage people to migrate. They use the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) definition of environmental migrants as people who, for compelling reasons of sudden or progressive environmental changes that adversely affect their lives, are obliged to leave their home either temporarily or permanently and move within their country or abroad. This open definition incorporates different types of migration, including sudden or progressive, which is suitable for such a work.
The choice of Morocco as a case study is ideal for discussing how a particular context of migration and its associated culture interplay and affect the perception of environmental changes. Morocco had a high incidence of emigration during the last century, mainly to Europe. Geographic proximity and colonial rule led to extensive migration. Also, many areas of Morocco face drought, water scarcity, and desertification. These are gradual changes that can be felt over time. In sum, Morocco is an interesting case study as it has an extensive incidence of migration, with some regions experiencing environmental change while others have not.
Studies on migration and the environment are still nascent. By focusing on environmental migration as an adaptation strategy, the authors have shed light on migration and entanglement between different migration drivers, such as internal migration dynamics and the migration decision-making process. Studying differentiated impacts of environmental change from a migration point of view helps fully understand the vulnerability of people heavily impacted by climate change. Also, paying attention to the perception of individuals or communities of people living in Morocco helps get insight into cultural ecology or human nature. This brings culture back into the research of environmental migration. The book also examines the interplay between social, political, economic, and environmental factors by looking at migration in its regional context.
The second chapter analyzes the existing theories of migration and how research adds to environmental migration and displacement. It argues that environmental problems should be considered social problems and environmental migration should be studied more sociologically and related to migration theories. There are hardly any studies using this approach. Sociologists are reluctant to expand into environmental issues, but all environmental issues are also social issues having sociological consequences. The book focuses on how migration aspiration is shaped in an area affected by environmental change and hopes to address this lacuna.
Functional migration theories see migration as a way to create equality based on the rational choice of individuals migrating within and between countries. They justify this using different push and pull models. According to Loubna Ou-Salah, these theories are merely descriptive and do not help develop a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. The second group of theories is the historical–structural theories that place migration within the broader context of social, political, economic, and cultural structures. They see migration as a way to maintain and reinforce existing inequities, implying that individuals do not have a choice but are structurally forced to migrate. The third set of theories considered includes new economic labor migration, migrant network theory, transnationalism, migration system theory, and diaspora theory. They argue that migration should be seen as an adaptation strategy to the adverse impact of environmental change. Migration theory, which the authors subscribe to, argues that once initial migrations due to colonialism or other reasons reach a critical mass, it results in a steady flow of migrants using this network.
Focusing on migration aspiration helps look at it as a gradual process leading to the decision. Second, questioning people’s migration aspirations gives insight into the role attributed to environmental change and how people see themselves as environmental refugees. Especially by looking at the perception, a deeper understanding and insights emerge. It also helps identify and understand trapped or immobile people. The study’s main findings relate to the perception of environmental change, which, in this case, is gradual and results in different experiences by different groups. The lower strata and less educated sections may be experiencing a more significant impact, but due to the absence of migration networks, the aspiration to migrate does not emerge. In sharp contrast, educated and informed sections use the availability of migration networks and opportunities, and there is a greater likelihood of migration.
Through the case study of Morocco, the book looks at the entanglement of various socio-economic factors and migration networks in forming migration aspirations and their interplay with environmental change. This has helped unravel many underlying trends and patterns. The comparison of different regions also adds richness to the analysis. This understanding of trends and patterns will be helpful for policymakers and scholars interested in global migration trends and those studying social change in the Maghrib.