University of Strathclyde scientists use satellites to track population displacement

Scientists at the University of Strathclyde have launched a project to illustrate how climate change is forcing people across the world to leave their homes. 

The Decoding Climate Displacement project combines data collected from satellites and community-focused research to map the links between climate change and population movements worldwide. 

“Extreme weather and rising temperatures are already displacing millions globally, but the data to understand why, where and how people move is often fragmented,” said Astrid Werkmeister, a climate scientist and the leader of the project. 

“By connecting what we see from space with what’s happening on the ground, we can help decision-makers invest in preparedness and recovery, not just emergency response.” 

By studying global climate displacement, researchers can monitor the movement of people as a result of issues like extreme weather, rising sea levels and the spread of desertification caused by climate change. According to research published by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, more than 376 million people have already been displaced by environmental factors like these since 2008.  

The team have developed an interactive map that shows how the data collected by satellites, including synthetic aperture radar, optical imaging and night-light data can pinpoint where and when communities are most at risk of climate-driven displacement.  

“Decoding climate displacement from space can help us move from reacting to crises to preventing them and give us the important perspective of people on the ground, which is hard to capture from space,” said Werkmeister. 

“Investing in resilience today means fewer people displaced tomorrow.” 

Research published by the Institute for Economics and Peace predicts that, in a worst-case scenario, up to 1.2 billion people could be displaced due to natural disasters and other ecological threats caused by climate change by 2050.  

The project is being developed by the university's Applied Space Technology Lab in collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult and international partners with funding from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Innovation Launchpad Network+. 

The UKRI is the UK’s national funding agency for research and innovation, with a budget of £8bn a year to invest in research and innovation in the UK and beyond.  

Researchers at the university are now expanding the project’s scope, calling for input from those in the policy, research, humanitarian aid and technology sectors to deepen their research and ensure they meet the needs of affected communities.