Migration, habitability and climate change in Ethiopia in 2030 – Abdi’s story

This animated video tells the story of Abdi, a farmer from the Oromia region in Ethiopia, as he and his family seek to cope with the impacts of increasing rainfall variability in the years up to 2030. His story shows that as the impacts of climate change intensify, those on the frontlines are using a variety of strategies to adapt and survive. Their effectiveness depends on many factors, including access to education and healthcare, social support networks, and remittances sent by family working elsewhere. 

This video builds on research undertaken by the EU-funded HABITABLE project, which examined how climate change, habitability and migration interact. As the impacts of the climate crisis combine with other risks, migration may serve as an effective adaptation strategy. However, it can also lead to increased vulnerability, and for many it is not an option, either by choice or due to a lack of resources. The links between climate change, habitability and human mobility are complex and highly context specific, with the reasons for and outcomes of migration dependent on a variety of social, political, economic, environmental and demographic factors. 

Developing plausible future scenarios of how global warming may shape migration in different contexts can aid the planning and implementation of measures to support adaptation, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability. The video was co-developed with experts on climate change adaptation, migration and sustainable development in Ethiopia, and aims to support the development of people-centred solutions to the climate crisis. This video is part of a series of scenario stories produced as part of the HABITABLE project.

For more information about the scenarios and their development, check out our In search of a habitable future report. 

Produced by: Joshua Knowles 

Directed by: Emily Wright O‘Kelly, adelphi research 

With special thanks to Eshetu Gurmu and Dula Etana at the Addis Ababa University for their contributions.