“Understanding the Complex Reasons Why Environmental Refugees Flee Their Homes”
Environmental refugees are a growing concern as climate change continues to impact communities around the world. The reasons why people are forced to flee their homes are complex, often stemming from a combination of environmental degradation and socioeconomic challenges. Climate change exacerbates a range of issues, including desertification, deforestation, land degradation, rising sea levels, floods, storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, food insecurity, and famine.
According to the September 2020 Ecological Threat Register Report by the Institute for Economics & Peace, populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa are expected to be the hardest hit. Countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Chad, India, and Pakistan, which are among the least peaceful nations, are particularly at risk for mass displacements. Haiti faces the highest risk in Central America and the Caribbean, while India and China are projected to experience high or extreme water stress.
Developed countries like the United States and Europe are not immune to the impacts of climate change. The report highlights the European refugee crisis in 2015, which saw 2 million people fleeing to Europe due to conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Developed nations like Sweden, Norway, and Ireland face minimal threats compared to other regions.
Food insecurity is identified as one of the most significant threats resulting from climate change. The report predicts a 50% increase in global food demand by 2050, leading to potential starvation and mass migration if food supply does not keep pace. Currently, over 2 billion people worldwide are already food insecure.
Steve Killelea, founder and executive chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace, emphasizes the urgent need for global cooperation to address ecological threats and climate change. Lack of access to food and water could lead to civil unrest, riots, and conflicts, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic exposes vulnerabilities in the global food chain.
As climate change continues to impact vulnerable communities, adaptation and resilience measures will be crucial in reducing displacement risks. Early warning systems, flood-defense infrastructure, sustainable agriculture practices, drought-resistant crops, and other protective measures can help mitigate the impacts of climate change on populations at risk of displacement.
The future consequences of climate change will disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations and put pressure on countries globally through the mass migration of environmental refugees. Addressing these challenges will require a coordinated effort to build resilience and adapt to the changing climate. This news story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration aimed at enhancing coverage of the climate crisis.