Migration, Urbanization, and Environmental Change in My Family History
June 6, 2026 By: Okafor chichi
My family’s environmental history reflects movement across different countries, climates, and lifestyles. Looking at my grandparents’ generation, my parents’ generation, and my own experiences helped me realize how much environments shape people’s daily lives, values, and opportunities. My family history includes experiences in Nigeria and now in Canada, and these two environments are very different in terms of climate, urbanization, natural resources, and lifestyle. Through these generational changes, I can see how modernization, migration, education, and technology have transformed the way my family interacts with the environment.
My grandparents’ generation lived much closer to the land than my generation does today. In Nigeria, daily life depended heavily on local environmental resources. Farming, local markets, and community relationships played major roles in sustaining families and communities. Many people depended on agriculture either directly or indirectly. Food was often locally grown and less processed than today. Seasonal weather patterns strongly influenced farming activities, transportation, and daily life. Unlike modern urban environments where technology dominates daily routines, natural conditions had a more immediate effect on survival and economic stability.
The environment my grandparents lived in was both natural and human-shaped. Villages and towns were surrounded by vegetation, farmland, and forests, but human activity still transformed the landscape through farming, construction, and resource use. Roads were less developed, and transportation systems were not as extensive as they are today. Because industrialization was lower, there was also less large-scale pollution and urban sprawl compared to modern cities. At the same time, environmental problems such as poor waste management, deforestation, and unreliable infrastructure still affected communities in different ways.
My parents’ generation experienced greater urbanization and modernization. Cities expanded rapidly, and many people moved away from farming-based lifestyles toward education, office work, business, and urban employment. Imported goods and globalized consumer culture became more common. Food systems also changed significantly as processed foods, fast food, and imported products became easier to access. This shift reflected broader economic and environmental changes linked to globalization.
Technology increasingly shaped how people interacted with the environment. Cars, electricity, mobile phones, and modern infrastructure reduced some dependence on local environmental conditions. However, urbanization also created new environmental challenges. Traffic congestion, air pollution, overcrowding, flooding, and waste disposal problems became more noticeable in growing Nigerian cities. My parents’ generation witnessed a transition from environments that were more directly connected to local land and agriculture toward environments shaped more by industrialization and urban growth.
My own environmental experience is very different because of migration and globalization. Living in Canada exposed me to a completely different climate and environmental system. Kamloops, British Columbia has a dry climate, large hills, grasslands, rivers, and seasonal weather patterns that are very different from the tropical environment many Nigerians grow up in. One of the first environmental differences I noticed was how calm and spacious Kamloops feels compared to larger cities. Some parts of the city feel almost like a retirement community because of the slower pace and quieter atmosphere. At the same time, the presence of Thompson Rivers University creates a strong student environment that shapes the city socially and economically.
Living near Tranquille Road also made me more aware of how geography affects daily life. The steep hills, dry grasslands, and wildfire risks influence how people build homes, manage water, and prepare for environmental emergencies. Unlike in many tropical environments where vegetation grows densely, Kamloops has a semi-arid landscape where water conservation is important. Wildfire smoke and drought conditions are now regular environmental concerns in British Columbia, especially during summer months.
Compared to my grandparents’ generation, I live much farther away from direct food production and natural resource harvesting. Most food is purchased from grocery stores, often imported from different countries. Technology also shapes my relationship with the environment in ways previous generations did not experience. Transportation, digital communication, packaged products, and global supply chains are now part of daily life. While these systems provide convenience, they also contribute to environmental problems such as pollution, waste, and climate change.
At the same time, my generation is probably more environmentally aware than earlier generations. Climate change, sustainability, recycling, conservation, and environmental justice are discussed much more openly today. Social media and education have increased awareness about issues such as plastic pollution, global warming, deforestation, and renewable energy. I think many people in my generation want a balance between modern convenience and environmental responsibility, although achieving that balance is difficult.
Gender, class, and migration have also shaped my family’s environmental experiences. Access to education and economic opportunities influenced where family members could live and work. Migration to Canada created opportunities for education and employment, but it also changed cultural relationships with land, climate, and community life. My understanding of the environment now includes both Nigerian and Canadian perspectives, which makes me more aware of how environments shape identity and daily experience.
Overall, reflecting on my family’s environmental history helped me understand how environmental relationships change across generations. My grandparents lived closer to the land and depended more directly on local environmental systems. My parents experienced rapid urbanization and modernization, while my own generation lives within a highly globalized and technologically connected world. Even though modern life offers many conveniences, it also creates environmental challenges that previous generations did not face on the same scale. These changes show how environmental history is connected not only to landscapes and ecosystems, but also to migration, culture, economics, and everyday life.
The samples you uploaded were very helpful for understanding the reflective and informal tone expected for this assignment. The Exercise 2 examples especially show how students connect multiple generations, migration, urbanization, and changing environmental values across time.