OUr Initiatives
The only way climate refugees will be able to migrate is through action and change. Here are a few initiatives we are working towards to get climate refugees the resources and rights they deserve.
Changing Immigration LawsCreate immigration laws that allow people to move due to the slow impacts of climate change, rather than just climate disasters. An article from the Council on Foreign Relations explains how many countries have immigration laws for those impacted by climate disasters, but no laws on long term climate change and immigration. Climate disasters most definitely leave people displaced, but so do long term impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and loss of soil fertility. We believe that long term climate effects need to be included in immigration laws so that people can migrate due to long term impacts. We should not try and ban or block migrants from moving, but realize that migration is inevitable and a right that everyone should have.
REsources FundWe want to create a centralized system to ensure that climate refugees get everything they need once they arrive in a new country. This includes creating a fund for climate migrants for government and people to draw upon specifically for airfare, food, water, shelter, and any other necessities migrants need during their transition. Laws and policies help immensely, but they only work if there are funds to back them up.
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Grant REfugee Status to Climate migrantsImmigration laws and change cannot just be on a country by country basis, but on an international scale to ensure that there is baseline and something for all countries to work off of and to work with. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) does not currently grant refugee status to climate migrants. This needs to change. Without refugee status they are not afforded the same legal protection that other migrants are. They need this legal protection in order to be able to move and have safety and resources to do so. The UN provides that baseline needed for other countries to follow, so granting refugee status by the UNHCR is the first step in policy change. In addition, there needs to be a federal framework that provides a pathway for climate migrants to move to a country of their choice.
Raise AwarenessThe first step in any issue is raising awareness. If no one knows about the issue, no one will care, and no change will occur. Through this page and the resources we provide, we hope to educate people on climate refugees and help them understand why it is an important issue. We host fundraisers, hold events, and uplift other organizations working to help climate refugees in order to gain that awareness of the issue and why it matters.
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We consulted articles from the Council on Foreign Relations, 2 articles from Brookings (Article 1 and Article 2), a policy brief from Climate Refugees, and an article from the Baker institute. We encourage you to look at these sources if you are looking for more information on climate migrants and solutions.