An Analysis of Climate-Induced Displacement in Somalia through the Lens of Islamic Integral Ecology

Abstract

Somalia represents a critical convergence of ecological vulnerability, forced migration, and human insecurity. Recurring droughts and floods, combined with resource depletion, have displaced millions of people, exacerbated humanitarian conditions, and tested the precarious stability of government structures. This paper explores Islamic ecological ethics in relation to integral ecology as articulated in Laudato Si’. This study investigates how this framework illuminates the causes of climate-induced displacement in Somalia and offers pathways for response. Through the concepts of khalīfah (stewardship), amānah (trust), and mīzān (balance), the analysis draws on secondary academic literature. This research seeks to illustrate the mechanisms by which environmental degradation fosters poverty, increases vulnerability, triggers migration, and contributes to conflict. The paper argues that responses shaped by Islamic integral ecology, integrating care for the environment with social justice, provide a moral foundation for addressing the displacement crisis in Somalia.