The Pacific Islands of Kiribati and Tuvalu face issues of migration due to the likelihood of their land becoming uninhabitable because of climate change. By adapting criminologists Cohen and Felson’s routine activity theory (RAT) to the context of climate change impacts on the sustainability of Kiribati and Tuvalu, we provide insights on the interplay between Pacific Islanders, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters and the regional governments and organizations supporting adaptation strategies. The multifaceted coexistence of these three groups accounts for the complexity to develop migration options with acceptable conditions for Pacific Islanders. Grounded primarily in secondary literature, this study provides conceptual insights into structural vulnerabilities and empowerment pathways in Pacific Islands. While recognizing data limitations, this article posits that considering the question of climate migration through a victimological lens enables us to disentangle and discuss some of the key dynamics within climate migration identifying the victimization and empowerment processes for Pacific Islanders.
Vachette et al. (Sun,) studied this question.