Transcript Climate Change Refugees

CLIMATE CHANGE
REFUGEES
OBJECTIVES
 Understand and explain what a climate change refugee is.
 Explain the reasons why people are climate change refugees.
HOW ARE PEOPLE AFFECTED?
 Climate change in itself does not directly displace
people.
 However, climate change may have environmental effects
that make it difficult for people to survive where they
are.
 Today, millions of people are forced to leave their homes
as a result of climate change.
 As they do not meet the definition of a refugee, they
receive no legal protection.
"Amid the diverse social and
political causes, the Darfur
conflict began as an ecological
crisis, arising at least in part
from climate change."
Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretar y General
THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM
 Climate change disasters cause more population
displacement than war and persecution.
 It is estimated that at least 25 million people are currently
displaced by climate change.
 This could increase to 150 million by 2050.
WHY PEOPLE MAY BE DISPLACED BY
CLIMATE CHANGE
 1) Sudden natural disasters, e.g. floods, volcanic eruptions,
cyclones or earthquakes.
 2) Long-term environmental ef fects occurring over time, e.g.
desertification, rising sea levels, soil erosion, land
degradation, changing water table or seasonal river flow
changes.
IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
 Decreased ability to generate an income from agriculture.
 Increased food prices.
 More people at risk of hunger.
 Food and water insecurity.
 Resurgence and spread of many diseases including malaria,
cholera and respiratory tract infections.
MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE
 People move to:
 Grow their crops
 Find food, water and shelter
 Find employment
 But these areas are often already overcrowded or
unsafe due to conflict.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE
 Are people forced to leave home, but who remain in their own
country.
 Find themselves in situations similar to those faced by
refugees.
 Rarely have the same levels of protection and assistance as
refugees.
CLIMATE REFUGEES
• Are people forced to leave their
own country due to the impacts of
climate change
• Are not recognised as refugees
under international law and so are
often denied protection and
assistance.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
 Who should be responsible for providing homes for
people displaced by climate change?
 Should people forced to flee their home due to
environmental effects be recognised under
international law as refugees? Why/ why not?
KIRIBATI
QUESTIONS
 What ef fects has climate change had on Kiribati?
 What are the people of Kiribati doing in response to climate
change?
 If you lived on Kiribati would you stay or leave? How would you
feel about doing so?
 What can be done to help the people Kiribati? What can you
do personally?