The concept of 'environmental migration' has gained significant traction in recent decades, yet its definition remains contested. While early scholarship focused primarily on sudden-onset disasters forcing displacement, contemporary research emphasizes the complex interplay of slow-onset environmental degradation, such as desertification and sea-level rise, with economic, social, and political drivers. This nuanced view challenges the simplistic notion of a direct causal link between environmental change and human mobility. Instead, it posits that environmental factors act as threat multipliers, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and influencing migration decisions in conjunction with other pressures. Consequently, policy responses must move beyond reactive emergency relief to proactive strategies that address underlying resilience and adaptive capacity, recognizing that migration can be a legitimate form of adaptation rather than solely a failure of in-situ survival.
❓ According to the passage, what is the current scholarly understanding of environmental migration?
A. It is primarily caused by sudden natural disasters that force immediate relocation.
B. It involves a direct and simple cause-and-effect relationship between environmental change and movement.
C. It is a multifaceted phenomenon where environmental stress interacts with social and economic factors.
D. It is best addressed through short-term emergency measures that focus on displacement relief.
✅ 正确答案
It is a multifaceted phenomenon where environmental stress interacts with social and economic factors.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first