Climate change has emerged as a significant structural force reshaping livelihoods, mobility, and migration decisions across the Global South. In India, and particularly in the state of Kerala, increasing climate variability, recurrent floods, landslides, coastal erosion, and livelihood disruptions have intensified household economic insecurity and vulnerability over the past decade. At the same time, Kerala has witnessed a sharp rise in education-led international migration, driven by socio-economic conditions, especially to countries such as Canada. While existing migration literature largely explains this trend through aspirations, labour market opportunities, and immigration policies, limited attention has been paid to the role of climate-induced livelihood stress as an influential driver of international student migration. 

Using secondary data from government reports, international organisations, academic literature, and policy documents, this paper examines the linkages between climate change, livelihood insecurity, and education-led migration from Kerala to Canada. The study conceptualises international student migration as a long-term adaptation strategy adopted by households facing environmental and economic uncertainty. It argues that climate stress, though rarely explicit in migration narratives, operates as a silent push factor shaping household decision-making, migration motivations, and post-migration expectations. The paper contributes to the emerging literature at the intersection of climate change, migration, and education by situating student mobility within broader environmental and livelihood contexts.