The Next Great Migration Summary

"Nature is never still, and neither are we. Migration is the heartbeat of life on Earth." How can embracing this idea shift our understanding of people and the world around us?

1. Migration: A Fundamental Part of Nature

For centuries, humans misunderstood the natural world's constant movement. Migration was often seen as unnatural or as a sign of desperation. However, migration is an essential survival mechanism for many species. Take monarch butterflies, for example, which travel 3,000 miles from Canada to Mexico to escape harsh winters.

This misunderstanding stems from early European naturalists like Carl Linnaeus, who advocated the idea of sedentary nature. Linnaeus believed animals and plants were created in the Garden of Eden and stayed fixed in their respective habitats. This erroneous view led to the disregard of migration as a natural and essential phenomenon.

Eventually, technology helped scientists uncover the truth. During World War II, radar operators detected mysterious flying objects, which turned out to be migrating birds. By studying migrating animals more closely, researchers realized that movement rather than stasis defines life.

Examples

• Monarch butterflies travel vast distances to survive seasonal changes.
• Eel migrations demonstrate animals' complex survival strategies.
• Radar "ghosts" in World War II revealed birds were constant travelers.

2. The Harm of Linnaeus’s Classifications

Carl Linnaeus, celebrated for his taxonomy system, also contributed to racist theories. While his classification system helped organize species, he applied dangerous ideas to human populations, defining humans by supposed "subspecies."

Faced with European expansion, Linnaeus categorized people into groups like "homo sapiens europaeus" and "homo sapiens afer," placing Europeans at the top. This hierarchy sanctioned colonialism by dehumanizing non-Europeans and justifying their exploitation.

These ideas persisted for centuries, influencing harmful policies and attitudes. Linnaeus’s belief in isolated, "pure" populations ignored the reality of global human migration and interaction throughout history.

Examples

• Linnaeus classified humans into racial categories with bias toward Europeans.
• His ideas validated colonialism and the mistreatment of indigenous peoples.
• Linnaeus falsely suggested humans developed independently rather than through shared migration.

3. Eugenics and Anti-Immigration Movements in the US

In the early 20th century, eugenics fueled anti-immigration policies in the United States. Prominent figures like Madison Grant and Henry Fairfield Osborn spread the belief that mixing races would "dilute" desirable traits in white Americans.

These men used their influence to popularize racial hierarchies. Grant's book, "The Passing of the Great Race," became a favorite of Adolf Hitler. Their lobbying led to restrictive immigration laws in the US, shaping a legacy of discrimination against migrants.

Fortunately, scientific studies eventually discredited eugenics. Despite these efforts, the ideas they propagated had already contributed to widespread harm and shaped anti-immigrant sentiment that lingers today.

Examples

• Madison Grant’s book was endorsed by Adolf Hitler.
• Osborn curated racist exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History.
• Eugenicists influenced President Calvin Coolidge’s anti-immigration policies.

4. Viewing Plants and Animals as Aliens

Anti-immigration rhetoric wasn't limited to humans. In the 20th century, conservation efforts began targeting so-called "invasive species." The fear stemmed from experiments like Georgii Gause’s yeast study, which showed one yeast species overpowering another.

Similar logic was applied to plants and animals. Species like grey squirrels in Europe were labeled as invaders. Nazis even destroyed non-native plants as part of their ideological crusade. Yet, evidence shows that these species often integrate into ecosystems without catastrophic effects.

Modern conservation has moved beyond such narrow views. In places like Hawaii, efforts to remove "alien" plant species were abandoned when researchers realized that ecosystems were thriving in their diversity.

Examples

• Gause’s yeast experiment wrongly influenced ideas about invasive species.
• Nazis eradicated non-native plants, seeing them as cultural threats.
• Hawaii’s ecosystem showed that native and non-native plants coexisted peacefully.

5. Fear of Overpopulation and its Consequences

Thomas Malthus’s ideas about overpopulation shaped harmful policies for centuries. He argued against aiding the poor, believing that unchecked population growth would lead to societal collapse. His logic inspired fears about human and animal populations alike.

One extreme example occurred on St. Matthew Island. Introduced reindeer thrived without predators, but their population suddenly crashed when food ran out. This led biologists like Paul Ehrlich to warn about a looming human overpopulation crisis, pushing policies like forced sterilization in India.

However, Malthus’s theories overlooked a key reality: prosperity reduces birth rates. Wealthy nations often see population decline. Addressing poverty, not enforcing draconian controls, is the better solution.

Examples

• Malthus’s ideas influenced sterilization policies in India, causing human rights abuses.
• St. Matthew Island showed the dangers of unbalanced animal populations.
• Prosperity reduces fertility rates, debunking overpopulation fears.

6. DNA Reveals Human Unity

The Human Genome Project proved that humans share 99.9% of their DNA. This discovery confirmed we all trace back to shared ancestors in East Africa. It dismantled the myth of separate, isolated "races."

Despite this, some scientists and skeptics tried to resurrect race-based divisions, focusing on the 0.1% of genetic difference. But ancient DNA from petrous bones revealed extensive global mixing. Migration has always been part of human history, shaping who we are today.

Physical traits like skin color are simply adaptations to different environments, not evidence of separate origins. This genetic unity emphasizes our shared humanity.

Examples

• The Human Genome Project found humans are 99.9% identical.
• Ancient DNA from petrous bones showed constant global migration.
• Traits like skin color are adaptations, not indications of separate "races."

7. Refugee Crisis Misrepresented

The Syrian refugee crisis of 2015 ignited both compassion and hostility across the West. Tragically, media exaggerated crimes by migrants, framing them as dangerous. Incidents like the New Year’s Eve assaults in Germany were sensationalized, fueling racist narratives.

In reality, migration was scapegoated for broader societal issues, like global sexual violence. Investigations revealed that many accusations against migrants were unfounded or exaggerated, further stigmatizing vulnerable people seeking safety.

This episode illustrates how misinformation and bias warp perceptions of migrants, perpetuating fear and hostility.

Examples

• The Syrian boy’s tragic death symbolized the crisis but quickly lost its impact.
• German media exaggerated migrant involvement in New Year’s Eve assaults.
• Migrants were falsely accused of deliberately setting fire to a German church.

8. Animal Migration Corridors

Human development often fragments natural habitats, disrupting migration. Conservation groups have stepped in to create wildlife corridors, allowing animals to move safely across landscapes.

The Yellowstone-to-Yukon Initiative is one success story, establishing a safe migration path spanning 500 miles. Wildlife bridges in Canada and Europe provide similar solutions, helping species like elk and grizzly bears thrive.

These efforts show that coexistence with nature is possible. Facilitating safe migration for animals benefits ecosystems and biodiversity.

Examples

• Wildlife corridors connect habitats across North America and Europe.
• Canadian highways use animal bridges for grizzlies and elk.
• The Yellowstone-to-Yukon Initiative secures 500 miles of migration habitat.

9. Rethinking Human Borders

Unlike animals, humans face significant barriers to migration. From militarized borders to restrictive laws, many are forced into dangerous journeys seeking safety or opportunity.

The UN’s Global Compact for Safe Migration suggests pragmatic alternatives. Policies like permeable borders and legal pathways can make migration safer and more humane. Some regions, like the EU, already model these ideals, demonstrating that viable solutions exist.

Migration is inevitable. Creating systems that accommodate it aligns with our nature as a species and fosters global cooperation.

Examples

• The UN advocates for safe and legal migration pathways.
• The EU provides an example of more open borders among member states.
• Permeable borders prevent dangerous crossings and unnecessary deaths.

Takeaways

1. Advocate for policies that recognize migration as a natural and essential part of life, not a problem to be stopped.
2. Support conservation efforts like wildlife corridors that ensure animals can move safely across habitats.
3. Challenge misinformation about migrants and educate yourself on the deeper historical and scientific truths about human unity.