Climate Change and Migration

Name
Course
Date
 Introduction to Climate Change and Migration

 Environmentally displaced persons are individuals forced to leave their homes due to environmental
factors such as climate change, natural disasters, or environmental degradation.

 Since 2008, an average of 21.5 million people yearly face forced displacement due to weather-related
sudden onset hazards.

 Floods, storms, and hurricanes are among the most common climate-related disasters (Unhcr, 2023).

 Wildfires have become increasingly prevalent, with a 13% rise in global wildfire activity (MacCarthy).

 Extreme temperatures contribute to displacement.

 By 2050, over 140 million people could be internally displaced due to climate change (World Bank,
2018).

 This trend raises questions about the effectiveness of current migration laws in providing adequate
protection and support for environmentally displaced persons.

 This is because the 1951 Refugee Convention doesn't cover environmental refugees, leaving them
vulnerable to legal gaps (The UN Refugee Agency).

 This omission denies them essential protections compared to refugees fleeing persecution.
 The Human Impact of Climate Change

 In 2020, extreme weather events displaced 30

million people globally (The Water Diplomat).
 The number of displaced individuals is anticipated to
increase significantly as the threat of climate change
intensifies.
 From Tuvalu, an island nation grappling with rising
sea levels.
 The ocean poses a threat to their home and the
survival of their entire community.
 Regional Agreements

Regional treaties and agreements

offer potential solutions
The Pacific Islands Forum
Framework for Resilient
Development
The agreements exemplify regional
cooperation in addressing climate-
related migration.
 References

• MacCarthy J and others, ‘The Latest Data Confirms: Forest Fires Are Getting Worse’ (World Resources
Institute2023) https://www.wri.org/insights/global-trends-forest-fires accessed 19 March 2024
• The UN Refugee Agency, ‘The 1951 Refugee Convention | UNHCR’ (UNHCR2018)
<https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/who-we-are/1951-refugee-convention> accessed 19 March 2024
• The Water Diplomat, ‘30 Million New Internally Displaced People in 2020 due to Climate Change | the Water
Diplomat’ (The Water Diplomat28 May 2021)
• U
‌ nhcr B, “Frequently Asked Questions on Climate Change and Disaster Displacement” UNHCR (January 18,
2023)
• World Bank Group, ‘Climate Change Could Force over 140 Million to Migrate within Countries by 2050:
World Bank Report’ (World Bank19 March 2018)