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Raoul Kaenzig, University of Neuchtel, Switzerland17.07.2013

Bolivian Andes: narratives on glacial retreat and migrationRK - Unine#1

Case study in the Bolivian andes

RK - Unine#2RESEARCH2 approaches :

1) On narrativesHow the relation between glacial retreat and migration is framed in the medias?

2) On mechanismsHow glacial retreat may affect the decision to migrate?

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In Bolivia, Water and Ice tell of climate change NYT, 2009El deshielo empuja la emigracin en una comunidad indgena de Bolivia. CNN Mexico, 2011

RK - Unine#4Images: Vergara, 2008; RK 2010

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Villagers say: yes!My four brothers are gone, they live in the city; because we lack terrain and we lack water. This year there is no water coming down the glacier! (Khapi, man 32 y.o., 2012)

Experts say: no! They are enjoying an extra-amount of water. Until now, they have not experienced out-migration because of this. (Environmental NGO director, La Paz, 2012).

Mechanisms between glacial retreat and migration

RK - Unine#9Mechanisms between glacial retreat and migration

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Conclusion and further remarksMediatisation of the villages: Victims VS agency. A way to adapt?

Visual dimension of retreating glaciers has a strong impacts on decisions: migration as an anticipatory adaptive strategy?

Importance to consider the temporal dimension; Are they sitting on a melting bomb?

Moving to vulnerable destinations (cities), and then?

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Raoul.Kaenzig@unine.ch www.unine.ch/geographie

Thank you !

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