More Than We Think

Throughout this semester, we've discussed the dangers of numerous disasters. Some of these disasters have far-ranging consequences - many of which most individuals do not think about in the context of such disasters.

Sex-trafficking in the context of climate change is one such example.

When we think about climate change, we think about ocean acidification, food scarcity, and maybe even climate migrants. However, we rarely extend our thinking to the analysis of what people are forced to do in order to survive.

Justine Calma's article on the connection between climate change and sex-trafficking evokes many of the concepts that we've spoken about in class.

Calma touches on what we've described as "vulnerability" in class. The Philippines is extremely susceptible to damage or harm by climate change which increases the likelihood of threats such as typhoons. Calma states the following:

"Climate change is a new push factor for human trafficking; its effects destroy livelihoods and place women and children in post-catastrophe situations that traffickers exploit."

It is because of this vulnerability that the exposure of the disaster is so significant. The individuals who are trafficked often continue being prostitutes because the alternative is starving and not providing for family. There is also a "stigma of having worked in the industry" that prevents victims from leaving or obtaining legal assistance. In this way, we can see how the duration of the event is extremely long-lasting.

Additionally, the hazardous nature of the forces that are exacerbated by climate change contribute to this problem. For example, the destructivity of Typhoon Haiyan was enormous. Calma states that the force "nearly wiped out" Tacloban, one of the Philippines' costal cities. The significance of this hazard, which is at least in part due to climate change, is that it displaced more than 4 million people. This displacement is what creates opportunities for the sex-traffickers.

We've discussed natural disasters, natural hazards caused by humans and natural hazards that are increased by humans but I propose that this is a phenomenon that humans have created (sex-trafficking) that has been exacerbated by a natural hazard (climate change). To complicate matters further, climate change is also an example of a disaster of which humans have increased the severity.

It is imperative that we tackle these problems (sex-trafficking, climate change, and issues that are exacerbated by climate change) specifically. However, looking at these issues and how they interact may allow us to come up with more holistic solutions.